Ecology of Saprotrophic Basidiomycetes


Book Description

The breadth and depth of understanding of many areas concerning basidiomycetes has increased dramatically since the premier publication of Frankland et al., Decomposer Basidiomycetes: their Biology and Ecology. New vistas have opened up with the advent of powerful computing, modeling and molecular approaches helping to greatly increase the general understanding of the ecology of basidiomycetes. This is tantamount to understanding the role of fungi in natural ecosystems because they are major agents of decomposition and nutrient cycling. These remarkable advances have been incorporated into this volume that discusses all aspects of saprotrophic basidiomycete ecology.







Ecology of Saprotrophic Fungi


Book Description

Heterminats and its consequences substrates. Biotrophy, necrotrophy and saprotrophy. Growth forms and responses. The expanding mycelium. The established mycelium. Mycelial responses. Non-mycelial forms. Population and dynamics in natural environments. Population and community structure problems of defintion. Population structure and autecological studies. Distribution and genetic variation in nature. Mycossociology. fungi in natural communities. Interactions within natural fungal communities. Concepts and priciples. Ecological niches and strategies. Ecological niches. Determinants of niche. strategies. Population and community development. Patterns and processes of establishment. Equilibrium and chage in established populations and communities. Problems of assessing numbers, distribution and activity. Numbers and patterns of occurrence. Distribution. Biomass. Activity. Living animals. External surfaces. Internal surfaces and organs. Surfaces of living plants. Leaves. Roots. Wood as a resource. Colonization of the standing tree. Colonization of felled or fellen timber. Uncomminuted terrestrial litter. Characteristics of litter and litter-inhabiting fungi. Colonization of litter types. Comminuted terrestrial litter. Comminution and its consequences. Digesta and faeces of inbertebrates. Organic matter in mineral soil. Water as a theatre for fungal activity. Fresh water. Fungi in the marine environment. Interim saprotrophy among biotrophs and necrotrophs. Lichen fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi. Plant pathogens.




Ecology of Saprotrophic Fungi


Book Description




Decomposer Basidiomycetes


Book Description

This volume concerns the breakdown of dead organic materials by the basidiomycetes or toadstools, one of the three major groups of fungi. Although the decomposer members of this group are ecologically and commercially of immense importance, this is the first symposium to focus on them. Various aspects of the taxonomy, sporulation, growth, enzyme activity and genetics of the organisms are discussed first. The roles of basidiomycetes in the nutrient cycles and energy flow of terrestrial and aquatic habitats and their activities as aggressive rotters of trees, outdoor and indoor timber and plant litter and composts are described in the later chapters.




The Fungi


Book Description

This new edition of The Fungi provides a comprehensive introduction to the importance of fungi in the natural world and in practical applications, from a microbiological perspective.




Mycorrhizal Symbiosis


Book Description

The roots of most plants are colonized by symbiotic fungi to form mycorrhiza, which play a critical role in the capture of nutrients from the soil and therefore in plant nutrition. Mycorrhizal Symbiosis is recognized as the definitive work in this area. Since the last edition was published there have been major advances in the field, particularly in the area of molecular biology, and the new edition has been fully revised and updated to incorporate these exciting new developments. - Over 50% new material - Includes expanded color plate section - Covers all aspects of mycorrhiza - Presents new taxonomy - Discusses the impact of proteomics and genomics on research in this area







Ecology of Saprotrophic Fungi


Book Description

Heterminats and its consequences substrates. Biotrophy, necrotrophy and saprotrophy. Growth forms and responses. The expanding mycelium. The established mycelium. Mycelial responses. Non-mycelial forms. Population and dynamics in natural environments. Population and community structure problems of defintion. Population structure and autecological studies. Distribution and genetic variation in nature. Mycossociology. fungi in natural communities. Interactions within natural fungal communities. Concepts and priciples. Ecological niches and strategies. Ecological niches. Determinants of niche. strategies. Population and community development. Patterns and processes of establishment. Equilibrium and chage in established populations and communities. Problems of assessing numbers, distribution and activity. Numbers and patterns of occurrence. Distribution. Biomass. Activity. Living animals. External surfaces. Internal surfaces and organs. Surfaces of living plants. Leaves. Roots. Wood as a resource. Colonization of the standing tree. Colonization of felled or fellen timber. Uncomminuted terrestrial litter. Characteristics of litter and litter-inhabiting fungi. Colonization of litter types. Comminuted terrestrial litter. Comminution and its consequences. Digesta and faeces of inbertebrates. Organic matter in mineral soil. Water as a theatre for fungal activity. Fresh water. Fungi in the marine environment. Interim saprotrophy among biotrophs and necrotrophs. Lichen fungi. Mycorrhizal fungi. Plant pathogens.




Freshwater Fungi


Book Description

The available literature on freshwater fungi is limited. Over the subsequent years a considerable volume of scientific papers have appeared scattered throughout numerous journals. There is therefore no recent synthesis of the subject and this is the objective of the proposed book. Freshwater habitats are rich in fungi with some 3,000 described species, most of papers focussing on their identification, substrata they grow on and world distribution. However, these fungi play an important role in the freshwater ecosystem, and are primarily involved in the breakdown of leaf litter contributing food for detritus feeders. Our book will bring together a wide range of acclaimed mycologists to review recent developments on the biology and ecology of freshwater fungi, particularly their molecular phylogeny, biodiversity, causative diseases of freshwater amphibians, fishes and invertebrate animals, decomposition of leaf litter, stream pollution and their potential role in bioremediation.