Background and aimsPicea abies, Pinus mugo and Rhododendron ferrugineum co-exist at the alpine tree line, and can have different mycorrhizal communities. The activity and diversity of mycorrhizal fungi are considered to be important factors in regulation of soil function.MethodsAt a tree line site and a lower elevation site in the Austrian Alps, the community structure of ectomycorrhiza on Picea abies and Pinus mugo was determined. The activity of surface enzymes was determined on ectomycorrhizal and ericoid mycorrhizal roots. In soils, the activity of a range of enzymes, nitrogen (N) mineralization and biomass decomposition were determined.ResultsThe community structure of the ectomycorrhizal community of Picea abies and Pinus mugo differed strongly, but the average activity of surface enzymes of the ectomycorrhizal communities was similar. A lower root surface enzyme activity was determined on Rhododendron ferrugineum. Soil N-mineralization under Rhododendron ferrugineum was significantly lower than under Picea abies and Pinus mugo. In soil, the activity of a range of enzymes did not differ at the tree line but differed between the tree line and the lower elevation sites.ConclusionThe different ectomycorrhizal communities on Picea abies and Pinus mugo and ericoid mycorrhizas on Rhododendron ferrugineum support similar ecosystem functions in soil.

中文翻译：

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高山林线共生木本植被岛的菌根及土壤生态系统功能


背景和目的云杉、黑松和铁红杜鹃共存于高山林线处，并具有不同的菌根群落。菌根真菌的活性和多样性被认为是调节土壤功能的重要因素。方法在奥地利阿尔卑斯山的林线地点和低海拔地点，测定了云杉和黑松的外生菌根群落结构。测定外生菌根和杜鹃花菌根根的表面酶活性。测定了土壤中一系列酶的活性、氮(N)矿化和生物量分解。结果云杉和黑松的外生菌根群落结构差异较大，但外生菌根群落表面酶的平均活性为相似的。铁红杜鹃的根表面酶活性较低。铁红杜鹃下的土壤氮矿化显着低于云杉和黑松下的土壤氮矿化。在土壤中，一系列酶的活性在林线处没有差异，但在林线和低海拔地点之间存在差异。结论云杉和黑松上的不同外生菌根群落以及红杜鹃上的杜鹃花菌根支持相似的生态系统功能土壤。