Diversidad ectomicorrícica en una formación natural de carrasca (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.)

The aims of this study are to characterize the ectomycorrhizal community of a mature and well preserved evergreen oak forest (Quercus ilex L. subsp. ballota (Desf.) Samp.) and to relate the above- and below-ground species diversity. The study area is the Nature Reserve of Monte del Conde, which has been proposed to be included in the Sites for Community Importance (SCI) and for Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) for the European Community. In autumn 2003, in an area of 225 m2, 374 sporocarps belonging to 52 taxa were collected. Clavulina cinerea (Fr.) Schroet., Entoloma rhodopolium (Fr.) Kumm. and Tricholoma scalpturatum (Fr.) Quél. were the dominant species. Belowground, morphological and anatomical analyses of ectomycorrhizal root tips were performed, yielding a total of 41 types. Cenococcum geophilum Fr. and thelephoroid fungi were dominant species on the root system. The preliminary results show that the sporocarps survey does not reflect the real ectomycorrhizal community diversity. Therefore, it is important to sample both sporocarps and root tips to achieve an accurate estimate of the ectomycorrhizal fungal community in forest ecosystems.