Underground Explorers

Ecological succession provides fundamental descriptions of ecosystem processes by studying vegetation composition and structure, and soil properties. However, information is scanty on soil microbial communities particularly fungi and their relationship to the process of succession. This proposal aims to examine the recuperation of soil fungal diversity during ecosystem development following shifting cultivation in sub-tropical forests of North-east India (part of both the Himalaya and Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspots) having steeply sloped terrain and high forest cover. On second location, the project proposal covers the increasing ages (up to 50 years old) since shifting cultivation in the eastern coast of India (i.e. central Odisha), and on third location, it will focus on an elevation gradient (spanning over 100 m to 2000 m tropical to temperate forest) in Mizoram (North-east Indian states) with undisturbed forests paired with secondary disturbed forests of 40 years of age using metagenome sequencing (as per SPUN’s standardized protocols). We will test the hypothesis that forest disturbance influences soil fungal community composition but that fungi re-converge on similarity to primary forests as secondary forests age (it takes about 10 years for bacteria). We further anticipate that it will take longer for community re-convergence in uplands than lowland due to the slower vegetation regrowth at higher elevations.

This project will provide clues to the linkages, mechanisms and feedback that regulate soil fungal community assembly during ecosystem development following shifting agriculture in highly biodiverse sub-tropical region and elevation and disturbance gradients (on tropical, sub-tropical and temperate forests) of North-east India, and Odissa (tropical deciduous forest) which are unexplored. The project output will be expanding our understanding on: a) how does forest disturbance alters the fungal communities? b) how fungal communities are shaped during ecosystem recovery? and c) how does forest altitude affects fungal community composition in Northeast Indian forests of Indo-Burma region? We anticipate at least two high-quality publications from this work as both region lacks molecular data on soil fungi and on shifting cultivation globally. Further, we anticipate that the project outcome may provide useful link to develop potential indigenous biofertilizers for sustaining shifting agriculture in the region. 

This project is Indian-led with collaborating team including Prof. S.K. Tripathi an ecosystem ecologist from Department of Forestry, Mizoram University along with his team, Dr. Ghosh an experienced microbiologist from Bose Institute, Kolkata and his team, and Dr Hombegowda working in the state of Odisha in the secondary forests. The team will be supported by Dr Francis Brearley broadly experienced in tropical plant-soil-fungal ecology who is already collaborating with Prof. Tripathi and published number of papers together.

Prof. Tripathi is already working with tribal communities and promoting organic farming practices in the region through MoUs between Mizoram University and farming societies (i.e. Tachhip Organic Growers Society and Tanhril Organic Growers Society) and providing them technology packages including biofertilizers to improve livelihood options for farming communities involved in shifting cultivation in Northeastern India. Any potential fungal strains identified in this study will be helpful in developing more suitable biofertilizer for better option to tribal farming communities to boost their farm income.