Mycorrhizal fungi associated with Garry Oak in British Columbia

Mycorrhizal fungi provide many benefits to plant health. However, their biodiversity is poorly-studied for Garry oak (Quercus garryana). Garry oak ecosystems are threatened in BC and these fungi could play a critical role in tree growth and survival, particularly with habitat loss and climate change providing additional stressors for this species. The proposed study will collect mycorrhizal root samples, fresh and preserved sporocarps from Garry oak trees in existing habitats to document the fungal species that contribute to ecosystem biodiversity. This will be accomplished by use of DNA barcoding technologies to identify and catalog the mycorrhizal fungi of Garry oaks across its current range. A more complete knowledge of Garry oak mycorrhizal species diversity will assist ecosystem health evaluation and habitat restoration by HAT. This new knowledge base will provide important baseline data for future research and monitoring of this at-risk habitat in BC.

Faculty Supervisor:

Will Hintz

Student:

Partner:

Habitat Acquisition Trust

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

University of Victoria

Program: