Research Project
The Role of Forest Disturbance History on Mycorrhizal Fungi and Tree Seedling Growth.
Personal Biography
Shannon Meehan is a master's student in Dr. Julie Etterson's lab at the University of Minnesota, Duluth. Shannon is studying the relationships between mycorrhizal fungi and native tree seedlings in an effort to understand how the restoration of soil communities can be incorporated into reforestation projects. Prior to graduate school, Shannon spent time learning from the ecosystems in IL, IA, WA, ID, MN, and MO while engaging in restoration projects and environmental education. Outside of research, Shannon is happiest when trail running and when her hands are in the dirt.
Research Synopsis
Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants and can improve plant access to nutrients and water in the soil. However, research on the efficacy of using mycorrhizal inoculants in reforestation projects is relatively new and limited. My research analyzed the mycorrhizal colonization and growth of Yellow Birch (Betula alleghaniensis), Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra), and Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus) seedlings at five sites across northern Minnesota with varying disturbance histories over two summers. Half of the study seedlings received a native soil inoculum prior to planting to determine if inoculation would improve mycorrhizal colonization and seedling growth.
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Mycorrhizal Species List
Results show mycorrhizal inoculation significantly affected the proportion of colonizations on tree seedlings, but this was site-dependent; inoculation did not affect seedling growth. Disturbance significantly affected both colonization and seedling growth. Mycorrhizal communities varied significantly by disturbance, tree species, and inoculation treatment, providing additional evidence to the growing body of literature showing mycorrhizal relationships are influenced by site disturbance and host species.
Funding acknowledgement:
Dr. Julie R. Etterson and graduate student Shannon Meehan conducted this research using Federal funds under award NA25NOSX419C0068 from the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended, administered by the Office for Coastal Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce provided to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program. This work was also made possible with resources provided by the Minnesota Mycological Society James Swanson & Doris Johannes Memorial Graduate Student Scholarship, the University of Minnesota Genomics Center, and additional funds provided by the Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund as recommended by the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources.
DELIVERY
STORING TRAYS THROUGH THE WINTER
UMD GREENHOUSE MANAGER MATT JAHNKE W/ WHITE PINE SEEDLINGS
Cooperative members planning around seed collection efforts.
