Site-Based Patterns of Variation in Leaf Endophytes and Ecophysiological Performance in Sweet Birch (<i>Betula lenta</i> L.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA: A Preliminary Study
Foliar endophytic fungi (FEF) live within leaves without causing visible signs of disease. FEF occur in all vascular plants, yet the exact nature of interactions between specific FEF and their hosts is not well understood. Some FEF are associated with enhanced water use efficiency, nutrient acquisit...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Ecologies |
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| author | Grace A. Dougherty Grace C. Zaboski Eric A. Griffin Alisa A. Hove |
| author_facet | Grace A. Dougherty Grace C. Zaboski Eric A. Griffin Alisa A. Hove |
| author_sort | Grace A. Dougherty |
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| description | Foliar endophytic fungi (FEF) live within leaves without causing visible signs of disease. FEF occur in all vascular plants, yet the exact nature of interactions between specific FEF and their hosts is not well understood. Some FEF are associated with enhanced water use efficiency, nutrient acquisition, and defense. However, others may have negative effects under high-stress conditions. We examined a series of gas exchange traits in sweet birch (<i>Betula lenta</i>, Fagaceae) along an elevation gradient in the Pisgah National Forest Asheville, North Carolina, USA. From these leaves, we cultured surface-sterilized samples to examine FEF frequency and diversity. FEF cultures were categorized by morphotype and identified through analysis of internal transcribed spacer (<i>ITS</i>) sequences. FEF colonization frequency was 100% across all sites, and we identified 68 distinct morphotypes. Genetic identification of a subset of cultures suggests highly diverse FEF communities within this study system. Leaf gas exchange traits showed significant correlations with elevation at the site level, supporting the hypothesis that water stress increases with increasing elevation. However, further research is needed to determine associations between FEF communities and elevation. These findings, especially considering the limited sample size and small spatial scale of this study, indicate that the southern Appalachians are a promising region for future studies of FEF in forest systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-61fa57cfa18e4accb9ea181dfd49ffe5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2673-4133 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecologies |
| spelling | doaj-art-61fa57cfa18e4accb9ea181dfd49ffe52025-08-20T02:24:42ZengMDPI AGEcologies2673-41332025-04-01623010.3390/ecologies6020030Site-Based Patterns of Variation in Leaf Endophytes and Ecophysiological Performance in Sweet Birch (<i>Betula lenta</i> L.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA: A Preliminary StudyGrace A. Dougherty0Grace C. Zaboski1Eric A. Griffin2Alisa A. Hove3Plant and Molecular Ecology Lab, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD 21037, USABiology and Chemistry Department, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC 28778, USAEnvironmental Studies Department, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC 28778, USABiology and Chemistry Department, Warren Wilson College, Asheville, NC 28778, USAFoliar endophytic fungi (FEF) live within leaves without causing visible signs of disease. FEF occur in all vascular plants, yet the exact nature of interactions between specific FEF and their hosts is not well understood. Some FEF are associated with enhanced water use efficiency, nutrient acquisition, and defense. However, others may have negative effects under high-stress conditions. We examined a series of gas exchange traits in sweet birch (<i>Betula lenta</i>, Fagaceae) along an elevation gradient in the Pisgah National Forest Asheville, North Carolina, USA. From these leaves, we cultured surface-sterilized samples to examine FEF frequency and diversity. FEF cultures were categorized by morphotype and identified through analysis of internal transcribed spacer (<i>ITS</i>) sequences. FEF colonization frequency was 100% across all sites, and we identified 68 distinct morphotypes. Genetic identification of a subset of cultures suggests highly diverse FEF communities within this study system. Leaf gas exchange traits showed significant correlations with elevation at the site level, supporting the hypothesis that water stress increases with increasing elevation. However, further research is needed to determine associations between FEF communities and elevation. These findings, especially considering the limited sample size and small spatial scale of this study, indicate that the southern Appalachians are a promising region for future studies of FEF in forest systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4133/6/2/30Appalachiadrought stresselevationfungal endophytesIRGAphotosynthesis |
| spellingShingle | Grace A. Dougherty Grace C. Zaboski Eric A. Griffin Alisa A. Hove Site-Based Patterns of Variation in Leaf Endophytes and Ecophysiological Performance in Sweet Birch (<i>Betula lenta</i> L.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA: A Preliminary Study Ecologies Appalachia drought stress elevation fungal endophytes IRGA photosynthesis |
| title | Site-Based Patterns of Variation in Leaf Endophytes and Ecophysiological Performance in Sweet Birch (<i>Betula lenta</i> L.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA: A Preliminary Study |
| title_full | Site-Based Patterns of Variation in Leaf Endophytes and Ecophysiological Performance in Sweet Birch (<i>Betula lenta</i> L.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA: A Preliminary Study |
| title_fullStr | Site-Based Patterns of Variation in Leaf Endophytes and Ecophysiological Performance in Sweet Birch (<i>Betula lenta</i> L.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA: A Preliminary Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Site-Based Patterns of Variation in Leaf Endophytes and Ecophysiological Performance in Sweet Birch (<i>Betula lenta</i> L.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA: A Preliminary Study |
| title_short | Site-Based Patterns of Variation in Leaf Endophytes and Ecophysiological Performance in Sweet Birch (<i>Betula lenta</i> L.) in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, USA: A Preliminary Study |
| title_sort | site based patterns of variation in leaf endophytes and ecophysiological performance in sweet birch i betula lenta i l in the southern appalachian mountains usa a preliminary study |
| topic | Appalachia drought stress elevation fungal endophytes IRGA photosynthesis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-4133/6/2/30 |
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