Changes of mycorrhizal fungal community occurring during the natural restoration after the chi-chi earthquake in Taiwan

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi influence the plant establishment after disturbances, however, there were no reports on the succession of soil AM fungal communities after earthquakes. This study was carried out to monitor the changes of AM fungal species composition during plant succession after earthquakes. After a major earthquake, the ‘Chi-Chi’ event of 1999, a total of 4238 AM fungal spores belonging to 13 species were recorded. Higher AM fungal spore density was found in the crest area of the affected mountainside and the AM fungal community was significantly different between the crest and valley area. Scutellospora nigra , Acaulospora scrobiculata and Acaulospora tuberculata were dominant in the early succession stage. Glomus ambisporum , Glomus deserticola and Acaulospora mellea were more abundant in the late successional stage. These results demonstrated the dynamics of AM fungal community during succession and vegetation recovery.