2nd Edition

Fungi in Ecosystem Processes

By John Dighton Copyright 2016
    408 Pages 5 Color & 105 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    434 Pages 5 Color & 105 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    434 Pages 5 Color & 105 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    This new edition of Fungi in Ecosystem Processes continues the unique approach of examining the roles of fungi from the perspective of ecosystem functions. It explores how fungi have adapted to survive within particular constraints, how they help to maintain homeostasis in ecosystems, how they facilitate resistance to perturbations, and how they influence the communities of other organisms.



    Updated and revised, the second edition





    • Expands the section on plant pathogens, invasive species, and insect–fungal interactions


    • Provides more extensive coverage on insect–fungal interactions, including entomopathogens, the links between entomopathogens and endophytes, and symbiotic and mutualistic interactions


    • Adds a new section on fungi in the built environment


    • Presents new material on below-ground to above-ground interactions mediated through fungi, such as mycorrhizal signaling systems for herbivory defense


    The book also includes expanded coverage of the role of fungi in suppressive soils, aquatic and marine fungi, modern methods of following food chains in fungal–invertebrate trophic interactions, and the physiology of nutrient uptake by mycorrhizae.



    A necessary update and expansion to previous material, this book provides an essential reference on the current understanding of fungal roles in ecosystem processes. It also identifies directions for future study, including an emphasis on the need for further research on fungi in built environments.

    Introduction
    Why Fungi?
    What Are Fungi?
    What Are Ecosystems and Ecosystem Functions?
    Specific Ecosystem Services Carried Out by Fungi
    Conclusions
    References

    Making Nutrients Available for Primary Production
    Making Soils
    Breaking Down the Dead: Adding Fertility
    Where Does Soil Begin and End?
    Keeping Soils Together
    Nutrient Availability in Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems
    Conclusions
    References

    Role of Fungi in Promoting Primary Production
    Lichens as Primary Producers
    Mycorrhizae Help Primary Production
    Succession and Plant Community Composition
    Plant Communities
    Plugging into the Hyphal Network
    Interactions with Other Microbes
    Mycorrhizae and Stress Tolerance
    Mycorrhizae in Aquatic and Estuarine Systems
    Fungal Endophytes and Primary Production
    Conclusion
    References

    Role of Fungi in Reducing Primary Production
    Pathogenic Fungi and Natural Plant Communities
    Pathogens and Agroecosystems
    Interactions between Mycorrhizae and Plant Pathogens
    Saprotroph–Pathogen Interactions—Biocontrol
    Allelopathy
    Conclusions
    References

    Fungi and Secondary Productivity
    Fungi in Diet of Vertebrates
    Fungi in Diet of Invertebrates
    Influence of Faunal Grazing on Decomposition
    Influence of Faunal Grazing on Mycorrhizal Function
    Influence of Fauna on Fungal Dispersal
    Influence of Invertebrate Grazing on Fungal Pathogens
    Specific Fungal–Faunal Interactions
    Fungal–Faunal Interactions in Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems
    Conclusions
    References

    Fungi as Animal Pathogens: Negative Impacts on Faunal Productivity
    Entomopathogens
    Nematode Pathogens and Predators
    Emerging Vertebrate Fungal Pathogens
    Pathogens in Aquatic and Marine Ecosystems
    Conclusion
    References

    Fungal Interactions with Pollutants and Climate Change
    Fungi and Acidifying Pollutants
    Fungi and Heavy Metals
    Organic Pollutants
    Fungi and Radionuclides
    Fungi and Climate Change
    Conclusions
    References

    Fungi in the Built Environment
    Decomposition of Fabric of Buildings
    Air Spora, Health Problems, and Molds on Structures
    Hot Spots of Fungal Activity Related to Environment
    Degradation of Artifacts
    Possible Protection of Artifacts
    Food Spoilage
    Conclusion
    References

    Biography

    John Dighton earned his MSc in ecology from Durham University, UK, and his PhD from London University, UK. After a brief spell of teaching high school, he worked for 15 years for the Institute of Terrestrial Ecology, Merlewood, UK, where he studied ectomycorrhizal fungi, forest soil ecology, forest nutrition, and the impacts of pollutants on fungi. He moved to the United States and started working with Rutgers University to run their Pinelands Field Station in the pine barrens of New Jersey. He has published more than 100 scientific papers; serves on the editorial boards of Soil Biology and Biochemistry, Fungal Biology, and Fungal Ecology; and has edited books on soil and mycology-related topics.