Wood decomposition, higher fungi, and their role in nutrient redistribution

• DOI: 10.1139/b95-400
• Publication Date: 2008-05-06T18:44:58Z
• Authors: Lynne Boddy; Sarah C. Watkinson
• Keywords: Decomposer; Nutrient cycle; Plant litter; Forest floor; Litter

Dead wood litter input to mature forest ecosystems represents 30–40% of the total biomass, containing about 1–4 and 0.1–0.8 kg/(ha∙year), N P, respectively. However, since decomposes relatively slowly, it a much larger proportion standing crop plant on floor, forming large reservoir mineral nutrients, which are unavailable for primary producers until they released by decomposer organisms, primarily basidiomycetes lesser extent ascomycetes. Readily available nutrients utilized rapidly leaving other locked up in recalcitrant lignocellulose complex. As decomposition proceeds relative concentration P increases (i.e., carbon/nutrient ratio decreases), as C is lost CO 2 , but these sequestered mycelial biomass. Formerly was thought that were when approximated mycelium. fungi inherently greedy using excess production reproductive structures foraging The latter, often aggregated form rhizomorphs or cords, grows out search new resources, extensive long-lived networks exhibit remarkable patterns reallocation fungal biomass nutrients. Within systems, conserved relocated many metres may aid establishment mycelia resources. Nutrients probably largely grazed upon invertebrates, nonbiotically damaged, interact with bacteria, die. Key words: ecology, lignocellulose, basidiomycetes, rhizomorph, translocation.