Hypogeous Fungi Occurance, Distribution and Mycorrhizal Hosts in Grand Teton National Park and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Memorial Parkway

Abstract

The research underway has two primary objectives. The first objective is to collect and identify the species of hypogeous fungi associated with ectomycorrhizal vascular plant hosts occurring in Grand Teton National Park and the John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway (GTNP) over a 3 year period. Upon completion of the inventory, distribution, host specificity, substrate preference, phenology of fruiting, and relative abundance and importance of each species will be determined. The second objective is to document small mammal activity associated with sporocarps of the hypogeous fungi. The role that small mammals play in dispersal of hypogeous fungal spores into disturbed areas, and the relative dependance of the animals on different species of hypogeous fungi will be estimated. Upon collection of hypogeous fungi, hypotheses relating to their niche importance in natural, relatively undisturbed ecosystems in GTNP will be developed and tested, with emphasis on future research and management recommendations.