Rapid and Recent Changes in Fungal Fruiting Patterns

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1137489
• Publication Date: 2007-04-05T20:58:20Z
• Authors: A. C. Gange; E. G. Gange; T. H. Sparks; L. Boddy
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 570; Time Factors; Fungi; Temperature; 577; mycorrhiza; Faculty of Science\Biological Science; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; Trees; Tracheophyta; climate change; England; 13. Climate action; Mycorrhizae; fungi; Fruiting Bodies, Fungal; Seasons; fruiting patterns; Ecosystem

Information on responses of higher organisms to climate change is dominated by events in spring. Far less known about autumnal and virtually nothing communities microorganisms. We analyzed fruiting patterns macrofungi over the past 56 years found that average first date 315 species earlier, while last later. Fruiting mycorrhizal associate with both deciduous coniferous trees delayed deciduous, but not coniferous, forests. Many are now twice a year, indicating increased mycelial activity possibly greater decay rates ecosystems.