Factors limiting the distribution of the mycoheterotrophic plants in fragmented landscape

Abstract

This thesis investigates the influence of habitat, dispersal abilities and evolution on distribution of mycoheterotrophic plants represented by six orchid species. Several methods including seed trapping, in situ seed germination, fungal barcoding, gene flow study and stable isotopes analyses were used to examine this topic. The final synthesis of these approaches shows lower limitation by dispersal abilities and stronger limitation by habitat.