P. pinaster under extreme ecological conditions provides high fungal production and diversity

Fungal community composition was mainly correlated with climatic variables, such as precipitation and temperature. Additionally, soil nitrogen and potassium significantly influenced the distribution of species for both saprotrophic and mycorrhizal functional groups. Some fungi such as Lycoperdon perlatum, Russula torulosa, and species within the genera Galerina and Mycena were adapted to a broad range of ecological conditions. Others were found only in very specific environmental conditions. All species within Macrolepiota were collected in the calcareous soils, whereas Laccaria laccata and L. bicolor were exclusively associated with higher amounts precipitation and nitrogen in the siliceous plots. These findings have ecological implications that are important for managers seeking new options for adding economic value and for sustaining biological diversity in these Mediterranean forests.