Fall 2000 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优势湿地植物的叶片样本。针对各采样点优势湿地植被的混合叶片样本，研究人员测定了麦角固醇（ergosterol，真菌细胞膜特异性组分）的含量，以及子囊菌孢子释放速率。采样覆盖溪岸与沼泽中部两类生境。研究人员同时测定了植物材料的干重与有机含量。本研究作为GCE微生物分解者监测计划的组成部分，将按年度重复开展，以解析真菌活性与各类环境因子相关的长期动态规律。