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Zonation of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi along a
saline gradient on three coastal sand-dunes in Japan
For Poster or Talk (4. Biodiversity and Ecology)
ABE, JUN-ICHI P.1 & K. KATSUYA1
1Institute of Agriculture and Forestry, University
of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305, Japan
ICOM1 Abstract
Salinity is one of the environmental factors which has a
strong influence on the zonal distribution of plants in
coastal sand-dunes. The distribution of vesicular-arbuscular
mycorrhizal fungi (VAMF) were examined from shoreline to
inland along a saline gradient. Two study sites along the
coast of the Pacific Ocean and one on the Sea of Japan
differing in vegetation were chosen. Sand samples were
collected from 4-6 sampling points at each line transects.
Sampling was carried out from uncovered sand-dunes below the
edge of the vegetation up to 190 m far from the shoreline.
Three genera and 9-10 species of VAMF were isolated and
identified at the three study sites. Many common species (up
to 89%) were observed between the study sites. The frequency
of occurrence of VAMF spores in sand samples were low on
uncovered seaward sides and increased towards the landward
sides. However the total number of spores per samples were
higher in covered sand dunes near the vegetation limits.
Scutellospora gregaria and Acaulospora sp. 1 were
predominantly isolated and their frequency of occurrence
increased in samples collected further inland. Glomus sp. 2
was predominantly present on covered sand-dunes near the
shoreline and Glomus sp. 1 and G. aggregatum were
predominantly isolated from the landward sides. These results
showed evidence for zonation of Glomus spp. on coastal sand
dunes, which appeared to be dependent on the saline gradient
rather than on the zonation of sand-dune plants.