Fungal endophytes and origins of decay in beech (Fagus sylvatica) sapwood. fungal endophyte metagenome

Sapwood comprises much above-ground forest biomass, but the mycobiome of living trees is largely unknown. Here, we characterize the endophytic fungal communities of the functional sapwood of young and mature living beech trees (Fagus sylvatica) at multiple scales, from within individual trees to woodland sites across the southern United Kingdom. Fungal community composition was determined using both culture-based and molecular approaches across two loci. Wood decay fungi, including those that cause heart rot, were detected in approximately 80% of all samples.