Larix laricina (tamarack) is a member of the family Pinaceae. It is uniquely characterized by deciduous needles and seems well adapted to cold climates and short growing seasons typical of the central interior of British Columbia. Here it often occurs in association with scrub birch (Betula glandulosa, family Betulaceae) growing in organic Sphagnum peat in lowland bogs or fens. Effective nutrient acquisition and the ability to tolerate fluctuating water tables are traits that may enhance tree survival, growth, and reproductive strategies in a nutrient deficient, poorly drained environment. We hypothesized that ectomycorrizal relationships formed between plant roots and fungi may play an important role in the success of these tree species and that some fungi may link these two hosts as well as others. Few studies have examined ectomycorrhizae within these ecosystems with respect to tamarack and scrub birch. This project will address questions of ectomycorrhizal fungal identity and diversity, as well as possible linkages existing between tamarack and scrub birch. Young trees will be studied in fen communities containing different combinations of host species. Sites will be located in the Sub-Boreal Spruce biogeoclimatic zone near Prince George in British Columbia. Communities will include mixtures of tamarack + scrub birch, tamarack + black spruce (Picea mariana), as well as separate homogenous communities of tamarack and scrub birch. The abundance of diversity of ectomycorrhizas will be assessed morphologically using light microscopy, as well as by PCR-RFLP analysis and DNA sequencing.

Key words: Betula glandulosa, ectomycorrhiza, Larix laricina