Data from: Germination patterns in three terrestrial orchids relate to abundance of mycorrhizal fungi

1. The spatial distribution of plants, which is often generated by
patterns of seed recruitment, is an important determinant of population
dynamics, especially for orchids with seeds that must be exposed to
appropriate mycorrhizal fungi. 2. We compared the distribution and
abundance of target mycorrhizal fungi detected in the soil using DNA-based
molecular techniques and germination in seed packets of Goodyera
pubescens, Liparis liliifolia, and Tipularia discolor. 3. We further
examined Tulasnella spp. associated with G. pubescens to determine whether
areas with abundant host fungi resulted from multiple genets of the same
species or from a single widespread fungal genet. 4. We found that target
fungi were more likely to be detected using soil DNA assays than by seed
germination. Based on soil DNA, fungi were more widespread than suggested
by seed germination, which most often reflected the presence of abundant
mycorrhizal fungi in the soil. Fungi were more likely to be abundant close
to established orchids. Established plants of G. pubescens that were
<50cm apart associated with a single abundant fungal genet, while
those >50 cm apart associated with multiple fungal genets. 5.
Synthesis. This study demonstrates the importance of using multiple
methods to detect the distribution and abundance of target fungi and
suggests that fungal ‘hot spots’ may be keys to the dynamics of orchid
populations.