How does ecological succession apply to mycorrhizal fungi?
As the oak tree grows, different species of fungi live with it. Also, more species live with it as it grows. On an old oak tree, there may be 250 species living in symbiosis with the oak. Also, as the season changes from winter to spring, for example, the dominant species of fungi living on the oak change. More water is tolerated when the oak tree is young because the species of fungi that live in association with the oak tolerate more water. Remember, though, this relationship between the oak and the fungi is bases on stress. This means the fungi will only live with the oak if the oak is under slight water or nutrient stress.
