The macrofungal community and fire in a Mountain Ash forest in southern Australia

Changes in the occurrence of macrofungi with time following forestry activities and fire were studied at 14 sites in Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) dominated forests, in the Eastern Central Highlands, Victoria, Australia. Forests of 0-57 years after fire were used to compare macrofungal communities. Pattern analysis through classification and ordination showed that there was a distinct change in the macrofungal community over time since disturbance. Three phases were apparent in the process of recolonisation after fire: (1) immediate post-fire (0- year), (2) an intermediate phase (2- and 4-year-old), and (3) a mature phase (7-year-old and older). The macrofungi evident in the Mountain Ash forest during the first year after fire were the most distinctive. The change in the suite of macrofungi closely reflected the changes in macro fungal substrates in the forests of different ages. Macrofungi found to be specific to certain stages of regeneration after fire will provide a subset of indicator taxa suitable for use in further surveys.