Holocene occurrence ofLophodermium piceae, a black spruce needle endophyte and possible paleoindicator of boreal forest health

Abstract

Holocene occurrences of conifer needle endophytes have not previously been reported. We report the fossil remains ofLophodermium piceae(Fckl.) Hoehn., a fungal endophyte of black spruce (Picea mariana(Mill.) B.S.P.) needles, in macrofossils dating back to 8000 cal yr BP. Spruce budworm head capsules andL. piceaeremains were found preceding charcoal layers delineating the transformation of four spruce−moss forest sites to spruce−lichen woodland. AsL. piceaeis found solely on senescent needles, its increased presence during these transformation periods likely indicates that the forests were in decline due to the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana(Clem.)) when they burned. Future paleoecological studies incorporating needle fungi observations could be used to investigate the historical occurrence of tree disease and the role of fungi in forest health and decline.

Soil paludification andSphagnumbog initiation: the influence of indurated podzolic soil and fire

“…). Presence of Lophodermium piceae (Jasinski & Payette ) was also noted on spruce needles. Sclerotia of Cenococcum graniforme (ectomycorrhizal fungus) were counted.…”

Drought, disease, defoliation and death: forest pathogens as agents of past vegetation change

“…Pathogen attacks are likely to result in an increase in combustible material and therefore to be associated with fires, a connection which can be examined through investigations of charcoal content. Jasinski and Payette (2007) found L. piceae remains, along with spruce budworm head capsules, before fire events. In addition, in a well-resolved sequence from Brede Bridge in southern England (Grant and Waller, 2010), a peak in micro-charcoal frequencies occurs approximately 100 years after the start of the elm decline.…”

“…Pathogen attacks are likely to result in an increase in combustible material and therefore to be associated with fires, a connection which can be examined through investigations of charcoal content. Jasinski and Payette () found L . piceae remains, along with spruce budworm head capsules, before fire events.…”

Dynamique des épidémies de la tordeuse des bourgeons de l'épinette durant l'holocène /

“…Hoehn. (Figure 4.3), a needle fungus found on senescent spruce and fir species, were also used as a proxy for spruce budworm epidemics Payette, 2005, 2007).-These disks are formed by several layers of hyphae and melanised parenchyma cells (Gourbière et al, 1986) and were linked to forest decline due to spruce budworm (Jasinski and Payette, 2007). The fungus was also associated with drought and stressed trees.…”