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Naturnahezeiger-Holz bewohnende Pilze als Indikatoren fur Strukturqualitat im Wald

January 2009

January 2009
84(12):560-566

Authors:

Markus Blaschke

Bavarian State Institute of Forestry

Christoph Johannes Hahn

Bavarian Mycological Society

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Summary To evaluate forests from a nature conservation point-of-view different kind of parameter or indicators could be used. To valuate the quality of dead wood as one of the main structural parameters of forest-ecosystems it is often not enough to estimate the volume. By consulting experts and carry out a literature survey, a list of 68 wood-inhabiting fungi was composed as indicators. This list allowed a better valuation of dead wood quality and quantity in forests. This fungi could be used as indicators of the orientation by nature. Other six species of fungi could be use as indicator for native structure elements in connection with their abundance. Zusammenfassung Zur naturschutzfachlichen Einwertung Einstufung von Waldbeständen können verschiedene Parameter bzw. Indikatoren verwendet werden. Die Erfassung rein numerischer Totholzmengen reicht häufig für die Bewertung der Totholzqualität als wesentlicher Struktur in Waldökosystemen nicht aus. Zu diesem Zweck wurde auf der Grundlage einer Expertenbefragung und Literaturstudien ein Liste von 68 holzbewohnenden Pilzen zusammengestellt, die eine bessere Bewertung der Totholzqualität und –quantität in Wäldern zulassen und somit ein Weiser für die Naturnähe von Waldbeständen sein können. Weitere sechs Arten sind in Verbindung mit Abundanzangaben ebenfalls Indikatorarten für naturnahe Strukturen.

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Naturalness is key: high species richness of wood-inhabiting fungi does not automatically mean high species quality

Article

Full-text available

May 2024
SYDOWIA

Accessible as Open Access in Sydowia 76: 2024 (www.sydowia.at/syd76/T15-3205.pdf). Diversity of wood-inhabiting macrofungi on large decaying trunks of Norway spruce and Silver fir was monitored in Zámecký les near-natural forest in Czechia. The aim was to statistically evaluate the fungal species richness and composition in relation to environmental/trunk parameters and to compare it with data on forest naturalness taken from historical documents. The results were compared with data obtained by the same methods in Boubínský prales virgin forest and literature data from Mittelsteighütte natural forest. Surprisingly, trunks in the near-natural forest were species-richer than in the virgin one, showing that the available ecological niche, here a fallen trunk, can be occupied by a rich set of fungi regardless of human impact. However, species composition differed considerably among the sites, especially by the presence of rare, red-listed and old-growth forests fungi, designated as species of special interest (SSI). They were least represented in the near-natural forest, more in the natural forest, and most in the virgin forest. This correlation shows that the independent concepts of both SSI species and classification of forest naturalness go well together. Even seemingly small interventions in the past like selective cutting have a big impact on fungal communities. The most sensitive fungi like Amylocystis lapponica, Fomitopsis rosea or Phellinus ferrugineofuscus require unbroken forest continuity. They are absent from affected sites although their refugia as potential sources of propagules exist nearby. Our data document that only spruces and firs 500–600 years old indicate true forest continuity. Linking fungal occurrence data, environmental variables and historical documents on human interventions is crucial both for understanding ecosystem processes and conservation management.

Mycena laevigata (Fungi, Agaricales) in the heart of Central Europe -a prominent species of old-growth forests

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May 2023

Published in Czech Mycology 75: 35-52, 2023. Available as Open Access (with supplement) at: http://www.czechmycology.org/_cmo/CM75103.pdf. --- The distribution and ecology of Mycena laevigata was evaluated in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. We collected data on records from 32 Czech and 32 Slovak localities, mostly from dead wood of spruce, but also fir and rarely pine. Mycena laevigata is a distinctly submontane to supramontane species with its distribution peak in the montane zone and rare occurrence in the subalpine zone. Preferred habitats are supramontane spruce forests, submontane/montane mixed forests (beech, spruce, fir) and submontane beech/fir forests. Several extrazonal habitats are known, namely waterlogged spruce forests, bog forests and ravine forests. Records of M. laevigata clearly dominate in old-growth forests under protection, which are rich in dead wood of spruce and/or fir, while records from managed forests are extremely rare. The species is able to fructify on wood of all decay stages, but most frequently at advanced stages, from May to November, with peaks in June and September. The prevailing occurrence in old-growth forests shows that the species requires not only presence of dead conifer wood in any cold and humid environment, but also some degree of habitat continuity, i.e. minor human impact on the forest ecosystem. The species can therefore be used as a good indicator of habitat preservation. Its taxonomic identity was verified molecularly using the ITS sequence from Czechia. Sequences of Asian samples are somewhat different from the European ones. Its distribution in Europe is summarised and its ecology in other parts of Europe discussed. --- Rozšíření a ekologie druhu Mycena laevigata byla hodnocena v Česku a na Slovensku. Údaje o nálezech jsme shromáždili z 32 lokalit v Česku a 32 na Slovensku, převážně z mrtvého dřeva smrku, ale i jedle a vzácně borovice. Mycena laevigata je výrazně submontánní až supramontánní druh s převahou výskytu v horském stupni a vzácným výskytem v subalpínském stupni. Preferovanými biotopy jsou supramontánní smrkové lesy, submontánní/montánní smíšené lesy (buk, smrk, jedle) a submontánní jedlobučiny. Je známo i několik extrazonálních biotopů, zejména podmáčené smrčiny, rašelinné lesy a suťové lesy. Nálezy M. laevigata jednoznačně dominují v chráněných starých lesích bohatých na mrtvé dřevo smrku a/nebo jedle, zatímco nálezy z hospodářských lesů jsou extrémně vzácné. Druh je schopen tvořit plodnice na dřevě všech stadií tlení, ale nejčastěji se vyskytuje v pokročilých stadiích, od května do listopadu, s vrcholy v červnu a září. Převažující výskyt v přirozených lesích ukazuje, že druh vyžaduje nejen pouhou přítomnost mrtvého dřeva jehličnanů v jakémkoli chladném a vlhkém prostředí, ale také určitý stupeň kontinuity stanoviště spočívající v absenci většího vlivu člověka na lesní ekosystém. Druh lze tedy použít jako dobrý indikátor přirozenosti stanoviště. Jeho taxonomická identita byla ověřena molekulárně pomocí sekvence ITS z Česka. Sekvence asijských vzorků se od evropských poněkud liší. Je shrnuto rozšíření v Evropě a diskutována ekologie v jiných částech Evropy.

Diversity and Distribution of Macrofungi in Protected Mountain Forest Habitats in Serbia and Its Relation to Abiotic Factors

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2022
J. Fungi

Fungal diversity is one of the most important indicators of overall forest biodiversity and its health. However, scarce information exists on the state of macrofungal communities of mountain forests in Serbia, making it one of the countries with the least-published mycological data in the Mediterranean and Balkan region of Europe. This paper presents the results of the first comprehensive, long-term study of macrofungal communities in some of the most important mountain forest ecosystems in Serbia (Tara, Kopaonik and Vidlič). In the course of three consecutive years, the sampling of five permanent experimental plots resulted in 245 species of macrofungi, classified into three functional groups (terricolous saprothrophs, lignicolous, and mycorrhizal fungi). Special attention was given to protected and indicator species, which point out the great value of studied forest habitats and the importance of their conservation. It was found that precipitation, habitat humidity, and temperature significantly influence the occurrence and distribution, primarily of mycorrhizal and lignicolous group of fungi. Thus, the continuation of long-term monitoring is crucial in order to more precisely determine which groups/species of macrofungi would, and to what extent they would, adapt to a rapidly changing climate.

Biotic and abiotic factors influencing macrofungal diversity and biomass in Mediterranean forests with a focus on the Porcini group

Article

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Feb 2024
DENDROBIOLOGY

Macrofungi are among the most crucial ecological forest resources and essential components of terrestrial ecosystems. Despite growing socio-economic interest, knowledge of their production is not understood because of many factors that can affect their natural growth. The aim of this study is to analyze which biotic and abiotic factors can influence the diversity and biomass of macrofungal fruiting bodies, at small and large scales. We worked in broadleaf Mediterranean forests, with a special focus on wild edible species (Porcini). The mycological observations were focused on epigeous macrofungi. To investigate connections between the occurrence of Boletus edulis species distribution modeling was used. Contrary to previous studies, the results reveal that, at a small (local) scale, the soil properties and the geochemical content (traces and minor elements) are more strongly correlated with macrofungal communities than vegetation (tree richness, dead wood, and litter volume) and climatic parameters (air temperatures and rainfall). At large scale, both edaphic and climatic factors, are considered essential for fungal fruiting and distribution across landscapes. The quantity of precipitation of the driest month is the crucial climatic factor influencing the occurrence of Porcini. The different results highlight a high variability and site dependence of both biotic and abiotic factors. Further studies appear to be necessary to increase knowledge on which factors have the most influence on edible and non-edible mushroom yield in various habitats.

Biodiversity of fungal species from Tara Mountain (Serbia)

Article

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Dec 2023

The Republic of Serbia is one of the few European countries without a national database of recorded fungal species, so documenting and publishing data on fungal diversity is of outmost importance for our country. The presence of fungal specimens of Tara Mountain was examined in the following localities: Mitrovac, Predov Krst, Kaludjerske Bare and Zaovine at each site in summer and autumn during 2021 and 2022. A total of 320 taxa of fungi were recorded during this period, 10 of them are included in the Serbian List of Protected Wild Species of Fungi: Boletus edulis, B. reticulatus, Cantharellus cibarius, Craterellus cornucopioides, Hydnum repandum, Lactarius deliciosus, L. deterrimus, L. salmonicolor, Marasmius oreades and Russula cyanoxantha, while three species: Hericium flagellum, H. coralloides and Psilocybe serbica are listed in the Serbian List of Strictly Protected Wild Specis of Fungi. Also, 38 species are indentified as an indicator species of old and preserved forests. The highest species diversity was founded in Mitrovac.

Mycoparasitism of Fomitopsis pinicola (Sw.) P. Karst. by Antrodiella citrinella Niemelä & Ryvarden

Article

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Jul 2023

Antrodiella species ( Agaricomycotina , Polyporales ) are often growing on or near to the living, dead, or dying fruitbodies of pioneer wood-inhabiting fungi. Antrodiella citrinella always occurs on wood that previously has been decayed by the polypore Fomitopsis pinicola . However, the underlying mechanism remained unclear. Based on field observations, it has been assumed that the succeeding species is not only a highly competitive wood decomposer but also a mycoparasite feeding on the preceding species. To investigate the interaction between A. citrinella and the putative host F. pinicola , the species were grown in dual cultures at different temperatures (5–25 °C). The interaction tests were complemented with qualitative enzymatic tests for both species and microscopic examination of the interaction zone. In the dual cultures, A. citrinella replaced F. pinicola only at low temperature (5 °C); at higher temperatures (25 °C), it was vice versa. Light microscopy revealed preferential growth of A. citrinella toward F. pinicola , hyphal contact, and finally death of F. pinicola hyphae. Enzymatic tests showed that A. citrinella is capable to degrade extracellular proteins, chitin, cellulose, and lignin. We interpret the interaction as mycoparasitism, as we suggest that A. citrinella is capable to recognize, kill, and feed from F. pinicola , beside its ability to degrade woody substrates. The results are discussed in an ecological context.

Temporal development of communities with a focus on insects, in time series of one to four decades

Thesis

Full-text available

Jan 2021

Nicolas Mériadec Max André Roth

Changes and development are fundamental principles in biocenoses and can affect a multitude of ecological processes. In insect communities phenological and density changes, changes in species richness and community composition, as well as interactions between those changes, are the most important macro processes. However, climate change and other factors like habitat degradation and loss alter these processes leading to shifts and general biodiversity declines. Even though knowledge about insect decline in central Europe increased during the last decades, there are significant knowledge gaps about the development of insect communities in certain habitats and taxa. For example, insect communities in small lentic as well as in forested habitats are under-sampled and reported to be less endangered than communities in other habitats. Furthermore, the changes within habitats and taxa are additionally influenced by certain traits, like host or feeding specialization. To disentangle these influences and to increase the knowledge about the general long-term development of insect communities, comprehensive long-term monitoring studies are needed. In addition, long-term effects of conservation strategies should also be evaluated on large time scales in order to be able to decide on a scientific base which strategies are effective in promoting possibly declining taxa. Hence, this thesis also tackles the effects of an integrative conservation strategy on wood dependent beetle and fungi, beside the development of water beetle and macro moth communities over multiple decades. In Chapter 2 I present a study on the development of water beetle communities (Dytiscidae, Haliplidae, Noteridae) in 33 water bodies in Southern Germany from 1991 to 2018. Time-standardized capture per waterbody was used during three periods: between 1991 and 1995, 2007 and 2008, and 2017 and 2018. Results showed annual declines in both species number (ca. -1%) and abundance (ca. -2%). In addition, community composition shifted over time in part due to changing pH values. Hence, the recorded changes during the 28-year study period partly reflect natural succession processes. However, since also moor-related beetle species decreased significantly, it is likely that water beetles in southern Germany are also threatened by non-successional factors, including desiccation, increased nitrogen input and/or mineralization, as well as the loss of specific habitats. The results suggest, that in small to midsize lentic waterbodies, current development should aim for constant creation of new water bodies and protection of moor waterbodies in order to protect water beetle communities on a landscape scale. In Chapter 3 I present an analysis of the development of nocturnal macro moth species richness, abundance and biomass over four decades in forests of southern Germany. Two local scale data sets featuring a coppiced oak forest as well as an oak high forest were analysed separately from a regional data set representing all forest types in the temperate zone of Central Europe. At the regional scale species richness, abundance and biomass showed annual declines of ca. 1 %, 1.3 % and 1.4 %, respectively. These declines were more pronounced in plant host specialists and in dark coloured species. In contrast, species richness increased by ca. 1.5 % annually in the coppiced forest, while no significant trends were found in the high forest. In contrast to past assumptions, insect decline apparently affects also hyper diverse insect groups in forests. Since host specialists and dark coloured species were affected more heavily by the decline than other groups, habitat loss and climate change seem to be potential drivers of the observed trends. However, the positive development of species richness in the coppiced oak forest indicates that maintaining complex and diverse forest ecosystems through active management might compensate for negative trends in biodiversity. Chapter 4 features a study specifically aiming to investigate the long-term effect of deadwood enrichment as an integrative conservation strategy on saproxylic beetles and fungi in a central European beech forest at a landscape scale. A before–after control–impact design, was used to compare assemblages and gamma diversities of saproxylic organisms (beetles and fungi) in strictly protected old-growth forest areas (reserves) and previously moderately and intensively managed forest areas. Forests were sampled one year before and a decade after starting a landscape-wide strategy of dead-wood enrichment. Ten years after the start of the dead-wood enrichment, neither gamma diversities of saproxylic organisms nor species composition of beetles did reflect the previous management types anymore. However, fungal species composition still mirrored the previous management gradient. The results demonstrated that intentional enrichment of dead wood at the landscape scale can effectively restore communities of saproxylic organisms and may thus be a suitable strategy in addition to permanent strict reserves in order to protect wood dependent organisms in Europe. In this thesis I showed, that in contrast to what was assumed and partly reported so far, also water beetles in lentic water bodies and macro moths in forests decreased in species richness, abundance and biomass during the last three to four decades. In line with earlier studies, especially dark coloured species and specialists decreased more than light-coloured species and generalists. The reasons for these declines could partly be attributed to natural processes and pollution and possibly to climate change. However, further studies, especially experimental ones, will be needed to achieve a better understanding of the reasons for insect decline. Furthermore, analyses of time series data should be interpreted cautiously especially if the number of sampling years is smaller than ten years. In addition, validation techniques such as left- and right- censoring and cross validation should be used in order to proof the robustness of the analyses. However, the lack of knowledge, we are still facing today, should not prevent scientists and practitioners from applying conservation measures. In order to prove the effectiveness of such measures, long-term monitoring is crucial. Such control of success is essential for evidence based and thus adapted conservation strategies of threatened organisms.

Richness and composition of macrofungi on large decaying trees in a Central European old-growth forest: a case study on silver fir (Abies alba)

Article

Dec 2020
MYCOL PROG

The species richness and composition of macrofungi on huge fallen trunks of silver fir (Abies alba) were monitored during a case study in the well-preserved Boubínský prales virgin forest in Czechia. A detailed survey of all macrofungal groups recorded 200 species on 30 trunks within the diameter range of 85-190 cm. This number is very high in the overall context and includes many rare and threatened species. The species-richest groups were corticioids and fleshy saprotrophic fungi. Individual trunks were inhabited by 4-33 species. The species richness was negatively correlated with trunk decay and positively with bark cover, moss cover and trunk length. Simultaneously, it was negatively correlated with increasing time since tree fall, time since tree death and the way of fall, namely its category 'broken'. Species composition was significantly influenced by decay, bark cover, moss cover, and, to a lesser degree, also by canopy cover, time since fall and time since death. The best trunks in terms of mycobiota rarity and nature conservation were those which died a long time ago but fell to the ground only recently. They have gone through a long phase of slow decay and gradual succession in standing position. As a result, they are inhabited by many distinctive fungi, especially those preferring natural forests. Durandiella gallica, Hohenbuehelia josserandii, Panellus violaceofulvus, Phellinus pouzarii and Pseudoplectania melaena can be considered almost exclusive fir specialists. All these fir-associated fungal species are immediately threatened by the gradual disappearance of firs resulting mainly from ungulate overpopulation, requiring the urgent implementation of appropriate conservation measures. A list of fungi characteristic of wood of silver fir and Norway spruce is presented.