Molecular ecological studies of fungi in environmental samples most frequently utilize ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes and their internal transcribed spacers (ITS) for taxon detection and taxonomic affinity estimation. While saturation of the taxon richness using these techniques has been difficult to achieve, even an incomplete sampling effort can lead to advances in theory and understanding of the community dynamics.  Here, two case studies are presented as examples.  

Results/Conclusions

(i) Based on the results from studies focusing on the small subunit of the rRNA gene amplified from a glacier forefront soils, a model for fungal community assembly was adopted and developed.

(ii) Based on studies using the ITS region amplified from roots of oaks (Quercus spp.) growing in urban and non-urban environments, dramatic differences in ectomycorrhizal community structure - but not in diversity or richness - were detected. The utility of the rRNA and high throughput sequencing strategies will be discussed in context of optimizing sampling depth and/or replication within experiments.