Role of fungal decomposition of coarse woody debris of Japanese red pine on forest tree generation after the terrible dieback caused by pine wilt disease

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Ecological impacts of coarse woody debris generated by recent substantial tree diebacks are poorly known. In this study, relationships between decay types of wood and tree seedlings established on fallen logs of Japanese red pine damaged by pine wilt disease were investigated at 30 sites along latitudinal gradient in Japan. I found that annual temperature and precipitation gradient affected decay types of log and then indirectly affect tree seedling establishment on the logs. These results indicates that decomposer fungi is the key agent determining the role of coarse woody debris on forest regeneration after tree dieback phenomenon.