Macrofungi on woody substrata

Abstract

Wood-inhabiting macrofungi inhabit substrata that differ in size, state of decay, and moisture content. Thus, the ecologies of fungi growing on wood differ. Wood-inhabiting species include fungi that were in or on the wood when a tree or tree part fell to the ground (e.g., pathogens and nonpathogenic endophytes of living tissue, heart rots), as well as the succession of fungi that follow in an organized fashion as the wood deteriorates. In addition, many putative and known ectomycorrhizal species “climb up” on wood to fruit and simultaneously may obtain nutrients from the wood by degrading organic compounds (Read et al. 1989). Although we do not know how most wood-inhabiting ascomycetes functions, some have been shown to be pathogens, endophytes, or saprobes. Thus, surveys of wood-inhabiting fungi will not be limited strictly to wood- ecaying species.

Citation

Huhndorf, Sabine M.; Lodge, D. J.; Wang, Chun-Juan; Stokland, Jogeir N. 2004. Macrofungi on woody substrata. Biodiversity of fungi : inventory and monitoring methods. Amsterdam : Elsevier Academic Press, 2004: Pages 159-163.