Fungal succession and diversity in fire-impacted soils of high-elevation pine forests
Abstract
Fires are a crucial ecological disturbance in many ecosystems, including high-elevation pine forests, playing a significant role in shaping biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. The impact of fire on soil fungi, which are integral to nutrient cycling, plant establishment, and forest regeneration, has garnered increased attention in recent years. This study explores fungal succession and diversity in fire-impacted soils of high-elevation pine forests, focusing on the microbial responses to fire, changes in community composition over time, and the influence of environmental factors on fungal recovery. We collected soil samples from burned and unburned areas within a high-elevation pine forest, analyzed fungal diversity using high-throughput sequencing, and assessed environmental variables such as temperature, moisture, pH, and nutrient availability. Our results suggest that fungal communities undergo a predictable successional process, with distinct shifts in diversity and composition in response to fire disturbance. These findings underscore the importance of fire in driving fungal diversity in these forests and highlight the role of fungi in post-fire recovery. Understanding fungal succession can aid in the management and conservation of high-elevation pine forests, particularly in the face of increasing fire frequency and intensity due to climate change.