Abstract ID: 3.14634 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

Pinus heldreichii H. Christ and Pinus peuce Griseb are endemic and relict species to the Balkans, mostly remain as small, isolated stands on slopes and exposed terrains at altitudes between 1,200 and 2,100 m a.s.l. Fungi play key roles in alpine forest ecosystems and represent an essential part of biodiversity. They directly influence several physiological processes in trees and contribute to carbon, nutrient and water cycling. They can also significantly contribute to the successful regeneration, establishment and growth of pine trees, particularly in marginal habitats under harsh environmental conditions. To better understand the diversity, composition and possible roles, communities of fungi associated with forest trees and seedlings of P. heldreichii and P. peuce, as well as forest soils were studied in high-altitude forest sites in Montenegro. These sites are often subjected to forest fires, which represent a main ecological disturbance in forest ecosystems. In attempt to understand the mechanisms of ecosystem recovery and resilience following fire disturbances, we also studied the impact of forest fires on the composition and diversity of fungal communities in P. heldreichii forest soils at the upper forest line. Needles, rootlets and forest soil of P. heldreichii and P. peuce were sampled from their typical habitats, and associated fungi were studied using high-throughput sequencing. Soil physical and chemical properties were also determined through mechanical and chemical analyses. The results revealed a high fungal diversity associated with two pine species, as well as site-specific effects on the abundance and composition of fungal communities. In regard to forest fire, results showed that the fungal community composition differed markedly between the post-fire and unburned sites, and that there was a slow recovery of fungal communities in high-altitude environments. The new knowledge generated through these studies can contribute to the development of relevant strategies for management and conservation of P. heldreichii and P. peuce forests and their associated biodiversity. The need for active restoration strategies in fire-affected and other high-altitude regions is suggested.