The influence of mushrooms on forests
The influence of mushrooms on forests
introduction
Mushrooms play an important role in forests and make a significant contribution to the health and vitality of these ecosystems. Your task extends from the decomposed matter, the provision of nutrients for plants and communication between the trees. In this article we will go into more detail on the different roles of mushrooms in forests and emphasize their influence on these complex ecosystems.
The life cycle of mushrooms
Before we deal with the influence of mushrooms on forests, it is helpful to understand the mushrooms' life cycle more precisely. Mushrooms are heterotrophic organisms, which means that they are unable to produce their own food through photosynthesis, but depend on other sources of organic substance.
reproduction and multiplication
Most types of mushrooms multiply asexual and sexually. In the asexual increase, the mushroom creates spores, which then spread to a new location through wind, animal movements or water. The sexual reproduction, on the other hand, includes the union of two 'gender cells' in order to genetically genetically different offspring growth and development
Mushrooms begin their lives as tiny spores that come from adult mushrooms. They settle on the floor or a dead biomass and begin to form fine threads, so -called hyphen. These hyphen are networked to form a so -called mycelium - the actual growth organ of the mushroom. It is designed to move efficiently through its nutrient dispenser and consume it.
Mushrooms have different tasks in forests. They are decomposed, mycorrhizal fungi and in some cases also parasites.
Decomposing mushrooms, often called saprophytes, play an important role in the carbon cycle of forests. They dismantled dead organic substance, such as fallen leaves, animal carcasses or fallen trees, into their components, freeing carbon dioxide ↩
Another essential function of mushrooms is the training of mycorrhiza compounds with trees and other plants. With this symbiosis, the threads of the myzel enclose the roots of the plants and thus increase their recording areas for nutrients and water
Some research has even shown that these mycorrhiza compounds can create a network between different trees that is called "Wood Wide Web".
Every now and then fungi can also act as parasites that affect healthy trees and cause diseases. This can lead to considerable damage and even to die of the tree. However, parasites can also play a natural role in forest ecosystems by helping to remove older or weaker trees from the forest population and create space for young trees.
It is recognized that the health and resilience of forests depend to a significant extent on the diversity and activities of their fungal communities
An important function of fungi is the promotion of biodiversity. They offer food and habitat for countless organisms, from the smallest insect to large mammals.
Mushrooms are indispensable players in the forest ecosystem. Although they are often overlooked, they are decisive for the health and diversity of the forest. Your roles as a decomposition, mycorrhiza partner and even parasites enrich the ecosystem in many ways. In addition, they contribute to the resistance of the forests and help them react and survive to change. Their ecological importance cannot therefore be assessed highly enough. ↩
The role of mushrooms in the Waldökosystem
fungi as a decomposition
mycorrhiz fungi and plants
mushroom parasites
resistance of the forests and the role of mushrooms
conclusion