Presents a coherent examination of wood decay processes, with close the biology fungi involved. Brings together diverse material on complex interactions between resources, organisms, and environment--all which influence process. Provides detailed coverage microenvironment wood, nature organisms inhabiting it, various ways in influences natural human-made ecosystems. In addition to in-depth technical information, authors present personal speculative views designed provoke debate stimulate new...

Extraradical mycelia of mycorrhizal fungi are normally the “hidden half” symbiosis, but they powerful underground influences upon biogeochemical cycling, composition plant communities, and agroecosystem functioning. Mycorrhizal mycelial networks most dynamic functionally diverse components recent estimates suggest empowered by receiving as much 10% or more net photosynthate their host plants. They often constitute 20%–30% total soil microbial biomass yet undetected standard measures used...

Information on functional diversity (metabolic potential) is essential for understanding the role of microbial communities in different environments. Variations commercially available BIOLOG bacterial identification system plates are now widely used to assess microorganisms from environmental samples, based utilisation patterns a wide range (up 95) single carbon sources. There many problems as well benefits using approach, but former often disregarded. Here basis approach summarised,...

Competition is the most common type of interaction occurring between wood-decaying higher fungi. Since competition for nutrients in organic resources effectively brought about by space, division into interference and exploitation not very appropriate. Fungal can be divided primary resource capture (obtaining uncolonized resources) secondary (combat to obtain already colonized other fungi). Combative mechanisms include antagonism at a distance, hyphal interference, mycoparasitism gross...

Abstract Assembly history of fungal communities has a crucial role in the decomposition woody resources, and hence nutrient cycling ecosystem function. However, it not been clearly determined whether species that arrive first may, potentially, dictate subsequent pathway community development, is, there is priority effect at level. We used traditional culture-based techniques coupled with sequencing amplified genetic markers to profile beech (Fagus sylvatica) disks had pre-colonised...

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...

Many saprotrophic fungi, especially basidiomycetes, which are able to grow out of the substratum that they colonizing in search new resources (i.e., nonresource-unit-restricted fungi) form mycelial cords, aggregations predominantly parallel, longitudinally aligned hyphae. These cords often extensive, long-lived systems interconnect discrete nutrient resources, e.g. woody litter components, on floor boreal, temperate and tropical forests, some can networks canopies. They exhibit foraging...

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...

S ummary It is argued that the development of decay in living hardwoods can best be explained terms unsuitability functional sapwood for mycelial establishment owing to its high moisture content and lack easily assimilable nutrients other than within cells. Decay occurs when these limitations are removed by any mechanisms which prevent or interfere with normal functioning sapwood. Recent concepts trees have implied an active host defence against infection. This view discussed alternative...

Bacterial decomposition of nitrate to dinitrogen and oxides nitrogen, essential steps in the nitrogen cycle, are regarded as predominantly anaerobic processes. However, here we have shown, using simultaneous mass spectrometric monitoring dissolved N2, NOx O2, that laboratory a number different bacteria can denitrify, even when O2 concentrations approach or exceed air saturation values. The proportions gaseous end products vary from one organism another depend on level O2. We, therefore,...

Transport networks are vital components of multicellular organisms, distributing nutrients and removing waste products. Animal plant transport systems branching trees whose architecture is linked to universal scaling laws in these organisms. In contrast, many fungi form reticulated mycelia via the fusion thread-like hyphae that continuously adapt environment. Fungal have evolved explore exploit a patchy environment, rather than ramify through three-dimensional organism. However, there has...

White-rot fungi are important wood-decomposing organisms in forest ecosystems. Their ability to colonize and decompose woody resources may be strongly influenced by wood-inhabiting bacteria that grow on easily utilizable compounds e.g. oligomers of wood-polymers released fungal enzymes. However, so far, it is not known how white-rot deal with the presence potential competing bacteria. Here, effects two fungi, Hypholoma fasciculare Resinicium bicolor, numbers composition colonizing sterile...

The relative contribution of top‐down and bottom‐up processes regulating primary decomposers can influence the strength link between soil animal community ecosystem functioning. Although bacterial communities are regulated by processes, latter considered to be less important in structuring diversity functioning fungal‐dominated ecosystems. Despite huge mycophagous (fungal‐feeding) fauna, their potential reverse outcomes competitive fungal interactions, grazing effects have never been found...