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- Diversity and distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi along a land use gradient in Terceira Island (Azores)Publication . Melo Drumonde, Catarina; Pimentel, Reinaldo M. S.; Walker, Christopher; Rodríguez-Echeverría, Susana; Freitas, Helena; Borges, Paulo A. V.More knowledge of community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in ecosystems in relation to habitat type and land use intensity is needed. We studied AMF in 106 soil samples from pristine natural forests and a gradient of disturbance including semi-natural and intensively managed pastures of Terceira, Azores. Altogether, 42 spore morphotypes were detected from eight AMF families, revealing different fungal community structures among the three land use types. Spore density was highest in native forests and lowest in intensively managed pastures, but fungal richness was highest in semi-natural pastures and lowest in native forests. No significant difference occurred between intensively managed pastures and native forests. Members of Acaulosporaceae and Glomeraceae were dominant in native forests, while fungi from Gigasporaceae and Claroideoglomeraceae were most abundant in semi-natural and intensively managed pastures respectively, indicating family-based ecological preferences. Rarefaction analysis revealed that pastures supported more diverse AMF communities than native forests, because in high elevation pristine forests, a few rare species dominate. It is therefore likely that more species would be found with increasing survey effort. Further research is needed to clarify the influence of land use type on AMF diversity and distribution in remote islands, and the role of native AMF on soil ecosystem processes and the spread of exotic plants.
- Potential Role of Native Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) in the Restoration of LaurisilvaPublication . Melo Drumonde, Catarina; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Freitas, Helena; Nunes, Luis V.The beneficial association of seedlings with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is thought to improve early tree establishment through increased uptake of poorly labile soil nutrients (particularly P) and enhancing plant tolerance to biotic and abiotic factors. Seedlings of Juniperus brevifolia, an endemic woody plant of the Azores archipelago with potential commercial value, was grown in the nursery with and without inoculation by a commercial plant growth promoter consisting of AMF isolated from the Azores (MICOazorica). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design in a greenhouse. At six months after planting, all AMF-inoculated plants were colonized. The percentage of colonization varied between 46% and 96% (Mean 70%). At harvest, all physical parameters were significantly greater in AMF-inoculated plants relative to uninoculated plants. Based on the obtained results, we strongly advise the use of native AMF, in strategies used in restoration programs in the Azores.
- Distribution of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in Terceira and São Miguel Islands (Azores)Publication . Melo Drumonde, Catarina; Walker, Christopher; Freitas, Helena; Machado, Artur Câmara; Borges, Paulo A. V.The data, presented here, come from samples collected during three research projects which aimed to assess the impact of land-use type on Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF) diversity and community composition in pastures of Terceira Island (Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal) and also in the native forest of two Azorean Islands (Terceira and São Miguel; Azores, Macaronesia, Portugal). Both projects contributed to improving the knowledge of AMF community structure at both local and regional scales.
- Possíveis impactes das alterações climáticas nas pastagens dos AçoresPublication . Elias, Rui B.; Melo Drumonde, Catarina; Wallon, Sophie; Maduro Dias, Cristiana; Borba, Alfredo E. S.; Madruga, João; Borges, Paulo A. V.; Ferreira, Maria T.Este livro apresenta os principais resultados do projeto PASTURCLIM, que decorreu em três pastagens da ilha Terceira. Recorrendo a câmaras de topo aberto (CTA), o objetivo foi simular o aumento da temperatura previsto durante este século, como resultado do aquecimento global, e avaliar os efeitos: (1) Na produtividade das pastagens, na qualidade da forragem e na disponibilidade de nutrientes do solo; (2) Na composição da comunidade de artrópodes, principalmente aracnídeos e insectos, associados às pastagens. Apesar de não estar nos objetivos iniciais do projeto, avaliámos ainda o efeito do aumento da temperatura na produção in vitro de metano.