Populations of fungi in a high arctic ecosystem

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Abstract
A study of the fungal flora of soils, plant leaves and litter was undertaken on the Truelove Lowland, on the north coast of Devon Island, Northwest Territories, Canada. A total of 53 taxa from 33 genera were identified, 27 from leaves and litter and 46 from soil, using soil-washing and plating as isolation methods. The predominant fungi on leaves and litter of Carex stans and Dryas integrifolia were sterile fungi, associated with Cladosporium, Phoma herbarum, Penicillium spp. and yeasts. Sterile fungi, Penicillium spp. and Chrysosporium pannorum were predominant in raised beach soils, whereas a new species of Cylindrocarpon (not ascribed here), a sterile fungi, Penicillium and Aspergillus species predominated in meadow soils. Use of direct observation methods showed that fungal biomass in meadow soils was much higher than in raised beach soils. In raised beach soils fungal biomass was heavily influenced by the distribution of cushion plants. In comparison with other tundra regions, the Truelove Lowland appears to have a moderately rich mycoflora, containing taxa common both in temperate regions and in other tundra soils. Total fungal biomass in Truelove Lowland soils was low in comparison with many tundra regions.