21st Century Guidebook to Fungi, SECOND EDITION, by David Moore, Geoffrey D. Robson and Anthony P. J. Trinci

Table of Contents

1. Chapter 12: Development and morphogenesis
2. Chapter 13: Ecosystem mycology: saprotrophs, and mutualisms between plants and fungi
   1. Ecosystem mycology
   2. Fungi as recyclers and saprotrophs
   3. Make the earth move
   4. Fungal toxins: food contamination and deterioration
   5. Decay of structural timber in dwellings
   6. Using fungi to remediate toxic and recalcitrant wastes
   7. Release of chlorohydrocarbons to the atmosphere by wood decay fungi
   8. Introduction to mycorrhizas
   9. Types of mycorrhiza
   10. Arbuscular (AM) endomycorrhizas
   11. Ericoid endomycorrhizas
   12. Arbutoid endomycorrhizas
   13. Monotropoid endomycorrhizas
   14. Orchidaceous endomycorrhizas
   15. Ectomycorrhizas
   16. Ectendomycorrhizas
   17. The effects of mycorrhizas and their commercial applications, and the impact of environmental and climate changes
   18. Introduction to lichens
   19. Introduction to endophytes
   20. Epiphytes
   21. Chapter 13 References and further reading
   22. Buy a PDF of Chapter 13
3. Chapter 14: Fungi as pathogens of plants

Chapter 13: Ecosystem mycology: saprotrophs, and mutualisms between plants and fungi

In this Chapter on ecosystem mycology we cover fungi as saprotrophs, and the mutualisms between plants and fungi, concentrating on fungi as recyclers that can make the earth move. Fungi also cause food contamination and deterioration through their formation of toxins, although some of these, like statins and strobilurins, are exploited commercially for our own practical purposes.

The ability of fungi to degrade wood makes them responsible for the decay of structural timber in dwellings, but on the other hand enables them to be used to remediate toxic and recalcitrant wastes. A downside, though, is that wood decay fungi release chlorohydrocarbons, potent greenhouse gases, to the atmosphere and thereby potentially contribute to global warming.

Interactions with plants dominate the rest of the Chapter. We describe all types of mycorrhiza: arbuscular (AM) endomycorrhizas, ericoid endomycorrhizas, arbutoid endomycorrhizas, monotropoid endomycorrhizas, orchidaceous endomycorrhizas, ectomycorrhizas and ectendomycorrhizas. The effects of mycorrhizas and their commercial applications, and the impact of environmental and climate changes are also discussed. Finally, we introduce lichens, endophytes and epiphytes.

Evidently, fungi contribute to a broad and vibrant network of interactions with all members of the plant, animal, and bacterial kingdoms (Prosser, 2002). Because of their unique attributes, fungi in particular play vital roles in most ecosystems.

• They act as mutualists (forming symbiotic associations in which all partners benefit) of virtually all plant species, and a great many animals; but arguably the most important of these are the lichens, which are usually associations between a fungus and a green alga, and the mycorrhizal association between plants and fungi. Most plants depend on mycorrhizal fungi for their survival and growth, the fungus taking photosynthetic sugars from the host in return. The benefits of mycorrhizas to plants include efficient nutrient uptake, especially phosphorus, because the fungus extends the nutrient-absorbing surface area of the roots, but water uptake through the mycorrhiza enhances plant resistance to drought stress, and the mycorrhiza provides direct or indirect protection against some pathogens (see below).
• Parasitic and pathogenic fungi infect the living tissues of plants, animals, and other fungi, causing injury and disease that adds to the selection pressure on their hosts (see Chapters 14, 15 and 16). Even fungal plant pathogens have a positive effect on the natural environment by enriching its species structure. Plants killed by disease provide organic matter for nutrient cycling organisms; dead branches or heart rot in live trees create habitats for cavity nesting animals, while gaps in stands of dominant plants caused by disease allow development of other plants, contributing both to species diversity and diversity of food for animals, from insects to elk.

For the price of a Coffee & Iced Lemon Loaf Cake ($5) you can buy yourself a PDF file of this chapter from 21st Century Guidebook to Fungi Online. Our PDFs feature an elegantly simple text layout that is easily readable on your mobile or other device, and all hyperlinks are live so you can continue to enjoy the Internet experience. Chapter 13: Ecosystem mycology: saprotrophs, and mutualisms between plants and fungi. With the appendix item attached to this chapter: Ecosystem Services in the 21st Century Guidebook to Fungi making a 69-page PDF file priced at FIVE US$ ($5) Delivered to you by SendOwl Not convinced yet? Download a FREE sample HERE

Updated July, 2019