Some Soil Fungi from an Alaskan Tundra Area

Abstract

... The following report is based on samples of soil and water collected in a tundra area and is restricted to a listing of certain soil moulds found there. In August and September 1957 and June 1958 the junior author collected a series of water and soil samples from which a number of mould and yeast cultures were isolated. The samples were obtained while making a survey of enteric infections among the Eskimos of Southwestern Alaska. Specifically, sampling was carried out within a 6-mile radius of the Eskimo village of Napaskiak, about 400 miles west of Anchorage, near the head of Kuskokwim Bay. ... The region lies in the ecotone between the forest and tundra regions, and the sampling was carried out in areas described as "wet tundra" and "heath tundra". In this region the average annual precipitation is 19 inches, the climate approaches the marine type, with a mean annual temperature of 30°F., a monthly mean for July of 55°F. and for January of 6°F., and an average growing season of 102 days. With the climate as much cool-maritime as arctic, the soil fungi are probably low-temperature species adapted to a cold environment. The article by Williamson is illustrated by maps and photographs giving the geographic location and illustrating environmental conditions. In August 1957 five pond and three soil samples were collected for a preliminary investigation into the microorganisms of this area. In September 1957 six soil and pond samples, including four from the permafrost area on the west side of the Kuskokwim River, were collected and in June 1958 ten samples of soil and pond water. ...