Abstract
A wetland that developed on iron mine tailings in the Adirondacks currently supports six native orchid species (Pogonia ophioglossoides, Calopogon tuberosus, Spiranthes romanzoffiana, Liparis loeselii, Platanthera clavellata, and Platanthera aquilonis) and the largest population of Pyrola asarifolia (S2) in New York State. This work focused on habitat characteristics, functional traits, and mycorrhizal fungi associated with the orchids and P. asarifolia at Benson Mines. Density models indicated that hotspots of S. romanzoffiana were spatially distinct from those of P. ophioglossoides and C. tuberosus. L. loeselii, P. clavellata, and P. aquilonis were restricted to a narrower range of microhabitats compared with the more abundant orchid species. Mycorrhizal associations of the orchid species were dominated by members of Tulasnellaceae and Ceratobasidiaceae, and those of P. asarifolia belonged to Thelephoraceae. Future work should address abiotic conditions at a finer scale and fungi these species associate with during germination to further understand distribution patterns.