Biodiversity of ectomycorrhizae in a Norway spruce stand on Pokljuka

Types of ectomycorrhizae were studied in soil cores from two different deve lopmental phases in the permanent forest research plot in an autochtonous a ltimontane Norway spruce stand on Pokljuka (Triglav National Park, 1200m/s. l). Types of ectomycorrhizae were studied in soil cores of equal Volume (27 5ml, 0-18cm deep). 13 samples were taken from an old growth stand and 17 sa mples from a young regeneration center. In the samples all roots were count ed and types of ectomycorrhizae briefly characterised. From 35.900 root tip s ca 2% were not mycorrhizal and ca 58% were old unidentifiable types. 16 t ypes of ectomycorrhizae could be identified by anatomical characteristics, but only 4 to the species level, and 8 types were preliminarily described. 20 ectomycorrhizal types belonged to the old growth stand and 10 types were described from young stand samples. 6 types of mycorrhizae occurred on bot h subplots. We conclude that both developmental phases of the spruce stand include highly diverse mycorrhizal components, which might have an influenc e on regeneration success of Norway spruce. For these cross-links to spruce regeneration, light dependent temperature regime and soil characteristics will be studied next.