Dynamics of pine ectomycorrhizae following root disturbance.

Ectomycorrhizae (ECM) and their hyphae may account for up to one-third of forest productivity, but we know little about their patterns of decomposition and recruitment. ECM decomposition rates are governed in part by the identity of the symbiont, while the species that colonize new fine roots are determined by a number of abiotic and biotic filters, including the developmental stage of the root system and hyphal network. Sections of forest floor humus were excised from mature pine stands (severing all roots), replaced and randomly sampled over time.