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Why Wood Decay Fungi?

decay fungi wood
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Why Wood Decay Fungi?

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Fungi which grow on wood are sometimes called “lignicolous” fungi. But why develop a set of keys limited to fungi utilizing wood as a substrate? After all, being lignicolous does not define a taxonomic category. Lignicolous fungi include ascomycetes and basidiomycetes and a large number of classes and orders within each of these groups. Most of these taxa include both lignicolous and terrestrial species. Rather than taxonomy, the keys focus on the biological activity holding this otherwise disparate group of fungi together: their ability to degrade cellulose and lignin, the major components of wood. This ability is often judged negatively on our part. In fact, the introduction to Illustrated Genera of Wood Decay Fungi by Dr. Fergus states that “This manual has therefore been prepared with the hope that it will fill a definite need, that of the general forester to identify decay fungi. It will also provide an illustrated Key for use in a Forest Pathology Laboratory course.” Dr. Fergus i

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