Fungal Ecology

The importance of fungi as decomposers, parasites and mutualistic symbionts in ecosystems is paramount. This text contains information on the ecology of fungi for the biology student.

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With approximately 1.5 million species of fungi in existence, the importance of this group in ecosystems as decomposers, as parasites of plants and animals and as mutualistic symbionts with plants is enormous. This text contains information on the ecology of fungi for the biology student. It provides an accessible account of fungi in terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems, emphasizing fundamental ecological principles. The book is divided into three parts. Part one deals with general topics vital to a good understanding of the fundamental principles of fungal ecology such as the organization, growth and function of mycelial structures and the biotic and abiotic factors that influence fungal populations. Part two looks at fungal communities on selected substrata, covering the colonization and decay of various herbaceous leaves and stems, roots and herbivore dung. Finally, Part three deals with fungi characteristic of special habitats, giving prominence to the recently greatly expanded fields of aquatic fungi and terrestrial macrofungi, and includes the fungi of extreme environments.
This book should be of interest to ecologists, mycologists, biologists, microbiologists, foil biologists, agricultural botanists and microbial ecology botanists.