Fall 2002 fungal monitoring -- marshgrass ergosterol content and ascospore release rates at 10 GCE sampling sites

Leaves of dominant marsh plants were collected from permanent plots in 10 GCE LTER sampling sites in order to assess the relative biomass and activity of fungal decomposers. The quantity of ergosterol, a specific fungal cell-membrane component, and the rate of ascomycete spore expulsion were measured in pooled lots of leaves from the dominant marsh vegetation at each site. Samples were collected from both creek bank and mid-marsh habitats. The dry weight and organic content of the plant material was also measured. This study is part of the GCE microbial decomposer monitoring program, and will be repeated annually to assess long-term patterns of fungal activity in relation to various environmental factors.

为评估真菌分解者的相对生物量与活性，研究人员从10个GCE LTER采样点的永久样地中采集了优势沼泽植物的叶片。研究人员测定了各站点优势沼泽植被混合叶片样本中的麦角固醇（ergosterol，真菌细胞膜特有组分）含量与子囊菌（ascomycete）孢子释放速率。样本采集自溪岸与沼泽中部两种生境。同时还测定了植物材料的干重与有机组分含量。本研究属于GCE微生物分解者监测计划的一部分，将每年重复开展，以评估真菌活性随各类环境因子变化的长期动态模式。