Your path towards ecological understanding

Fungi Friday; Clavaria zollingeri

September 7, 2018 Philip Pinzone

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Elevated CO2 and its ecological and evolutionary influence

December 12, 2017 Philip Pinzone

Extra cellular hyphae traveling in-between plant root cells. Penetrated cell with a formed arbuscule (top right).

Learn how scientists use research to make predictions for how future ecosystems will function. Find out how present-day forests may soon resemble a more ancient past.

Parasitism of Pollen

November 22, 2017 Philip Pinzone

Different fungi penetrating pollen from Pinus nigra. 1.) Bjerkandera adusta 2.) Cantharellula umbonata 3.) Coprinus comatus 4.) Cyathus stercoreus. In Hutchison and Barron 1997. — Different fungi penetrating pollen from *Pinus nigra*. 1.) *Bjerkandera adusta* 2.) *Cantharellula umbonata* 3.) *Coprinus comatus* 4.) *Cyathus stercoreus*. In Hutchison and Barron 1997.

Find out how this type of “parasitism” may actually benefit plant communities.

Latently present fungi

November 15, 2017 Philip Pinzone

Hericium species amongst many other saprotrophic fungi are latently present in trees. — *Hericium* species amongst many other saprotrophic fungi are latently present in trees.

Inside trees lie the fungi that eventually decompose them.

Disappearing insects; canary in the coal mine, or the nail in the coffin?

October 19, 2017 Philip Pinzone

Glischrochilus quadripunctatus, a fungivorous sap beetle that enhances saprotrophic fungi. — *Glischrochilus quadripunctatus*, a fungivorous sap beetle that enhances saprotrophic fungi.

Fungal succession is mediated by dispersing wood-boring insects. Thus, the carbon cycle is highly dependent on insect diversity. A new study shows insect biomass is radically diminishing, which could mean the reduction of several ecosystem processes.