Logging has legacy effects on the structure of soil fungal communities several decades after cessation in Western Cascade forest stands

Introduction Logging impacts millions of hectares forests globally every year, and not only affects tree cover, but also disrupts below-ground soil communities that are essential for forest ecosystems. Soil fungi particularly vulnerable to such disturbances due their reliance upon plant hosts as source carbon. Fluctuations within the major guilds important function can have ramifications biogeochemical processes. We addressed questions about fungal in temperate stands with varying logging histories: (1) Do assembly patterns functional reflect historical differences legacies? (2) Does sequencing resemble composition surveys fruiting bodies? (3) How do litter layer differ from those these change history? Methods Our study took place H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest western Oregon, USA. sampled (Oi—Oe) three sites different one clear cut 1974, selectively logged thinned times between 1974 2001, unlogged. sequenced separately mineral samples samples. Additionally, we compiled fruiting-body studies 1972 through present compare our eDNA Results found four decades after had ceased there were detectable signatures distinguished unlogged sites, indicating a legacy many generations (PERMANOVA; p < 0.001 both fungi). There significant 0.001) higher relative abundances pathogens greater proportion mycorrhizal soil. Discussion These results highlight importance including studies, entire be underestimated when considering single fraction. Together, repercussions regeneration following logging, functions fully recover even cessation.