A correlation between chytrid abundance and ecological integrity in New Jersey pine barrens waters

Zoosporic fungi (chytrid) abundance, as captured on pollen bait, was significantly higher in pristine sites than impacted sites in a survey of six water bodies of varying ecological integrity (as categorized by the NJ Pinelands Commission) in the New Jersey pine barrens (USA). Using a series of laboratory manipulations of water from a pristine and an impacted site, altered pH appeared to be the primary driver of zoosporic fungi abundance in the field. Increasing pH of the naturally acid water of the pine barrens, significantly reduced zoosporic fungal populations and a reduction of pH of impacted water ameliorated conditions and increased abundance. The addition of nitrogen or phosphorus to, or an increase in specific conductance of, pristine water reduced zoosporic fungal abundance, but a reduction in these parameters in impacted water did not induce restoration of zoosporic fungi. These results show zoosporic fungi have potential as bioindicators of pollution.