Fungal non-pollen palynomorphs (fNPPs) from moss samples in Białowieża Forest

The dataset contains raw counts of fungal non-pollen palynomorphs (fNPPs) identified in modern moss polsters collected in Białowieża Forest ecosystems. These counts are provided per sample and represent the absolute numbers of spores observed under a microscope before any transformation or normalization. The dataset supports studies on fungal diversity, ecological interactions, and the use of fungal NPPs as proxies in paleoecological reconstructions.The project aims to determine the composition of fungal non-pollen palynomorphs (fNPPs) in modern pollen samples from the Białowieża Forest and to examine how environmental factors such as vegetation type, landscape openness, herbivore pressure, wetness, and presence of deadwood influence their abundance and diversity. The established relationships may enhance our understanding of the indicative value of fungal NPPs for reconstructing historical environmental conditions, providing critical insights into past forest dynamics and herbivory patterns.To achieve these goals, moss samples, which act as natural pollen traps, were collected in 2021 across different habitats within the Białowieża Forest. Samples were processed using standard palynological methods, and fNPPs were identified and counted under a light microscope. The observations suggest that fungal NPP composition varies significantly with environmental gradients, highlighting their potential as indicators of ecological and historical processes.

本数据集收录了从比亚沃韦扎森林生态系统采集的现代苔藓样垫中鉴定得到的真菌非花粉孢粉型（fungal non-pollen palynomorphs，fNPPs）原始计数数据。所有计数均按样本独立给出，代表未经任何变换或归一化处理、在显微镜下直接观测得到的孢子绝对数量。本数据集可为真菌多样性、生态相互作用研究，以及利用真菌非花粉孢粉型作为代用指标开展古生态重建的相关工作提供数据支撑。
本项目旨在明确比亚沃韦扎森林现代花粉样品中真菌非花粉孢粉型的组成，并探究植被类型、景观开阔度、草食动物压力、湿度及枯木存在情况等环境因素对其丰度与多样性的影响。上述已明确的关联关系可加深我们对真菌非花粉孢粉型作为历史环境条件重建代用指标的指示价值的认知，为理解过去的森林动态与草食动物活动模式提供关键科学见解。
为达成上述研究目标，研究团队于2021年在比亚沃韦扎森林内不同生境中采集了作为天然花粉陷阱的苔藓样品。样品采用标准孢粉学方法进行前处理，并在光学显微镜下完成真菌非花粉孢粉型的鉴定与计数。观测结果表明，真菌非花粉孢粉型的组成随环境梯度发生显著变化，凸显了其作为生态与历史过程指示物的应用潜力。