Polypore richness along an elevational gradient: a case study in Changbaishan Nature Reserve, Northeastern China

It has long been known that the species richness along an elevational gradient shows either a monotonic decrease or a hump-shaped pattern. The distribution of polypores at six altitudes (800 m, 1 000 in, 1 200 in, 1 400 in, 1 600 in and 1 800 in) was analyzed based on 10 yr of field data from Changbaishan Nature Reserve, Northeastern China. The polypore richness decreased from 153 to 8 species with increasing elevation, showing a monotonic decrease pattern. Moreover, the proportions of white- and brown-rot-causing polypores generally decreased and increased, respectively, along the elevational gradient from an altitude of 800 m-1 600 In, but the highest altitude site exclusively with Betula ermanii had the highest and lowest proportions of white- and brown-rot polypores, respectively. These patterns might be caused by changes in the forest type and in various abiotic factors associated with changes in different altitudes. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ltd and The British Mycological Society. All rights reserved.