Distribution of three fungi colonising fallen Pinus sylvestris needles along altitudinal transects

This work tested the hypothesis that the abundance of fungal species on con iferous needles is correlated to climatic factors at a regional scale. The proportions of Pinus sylvestris needles colonised by Lophodermium pinastri, Cyclaneusma minus and Verticicladium trifidum were examined along two alti tudinal transects in 2 successive years. L. pinastri and C. minus colonisat ion increased with altitude, whereas that of V. trifidum decreased. The dat a are discussed in relation to the importance of climatic controls on speci es distributions.