You are a forester charged with increasing productivity in a South American forest newly planted with pines from Oregon.You believe that the southern forest lacks the fungal diversity needed by the North American pines,and that this lack of fungi is affecting the pines' productivity,but you have no evidence to support your ideas.To count how many fungal species were present in the Oregon forest,which methodology would you choose?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Direct sequencing on representative soil samples from across the forest would provide the most accurate count of fungal species present in the Southern forest. This method would allow for an analysis of the fungal species present in the location where the new pines were planted and provide evidence for the hypothesis that a lack of fungal diversity is affecting productivity. Options A and B are not reliable methods for determining fungal diversity, as fungal species richness is not always proportional to plant species richness and not all fungal species produce fruiting structures above ground. Option D is not necessary and could potentially harm the trees and the surrounding ecosystem.

You Are a Forester Charged with Increasing Productivity in a South