MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH PLANTS IN GROUND-WATER FED WETLANDS

Studies have documented the flora, fauna, and soils of ground-water fed wetlands, but very little is known about their plant-mycorrhizal associations. This study was designed to determine the presence of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in several wetland plant species associated with fens in west central Ohio, USA. Roots of wetland plant species collected at four sites had mycorrhizal fungal colonization levels ranging from O to 61.5%. Mycorrhizal associations occurred in plants of all wetland categories (OBL, FACW, FAC). We propose that these peatland have lower nutrient availability than some other wetlands and thus may be more dependent on these root fungi for nutrient uptake. Mycorrhizal fungi may be an important consideration in the functional restoration of ground-water driven wetland systems.