In today's lecture, I'm going to describe trophic dynamics using examples from Eastern mixed forests. Depending on the ecosystem, bottom, middle, and/or top trophic levels may influence the species living in a specific place and actually structure the ecosystem. Changing the abundances of organisms with strong structuring power relays to changing trophic dynamics. As I hike around Allegany state park, I'll go over examples I find in greater detail. Together, we'll look at these patterns and hopefully be able to better understand forest ecology from the perspective of the forest floor.
Read moreMyxotrichum chartarum
Myxotrichum chartarum. By Jens H Peteren.
Fungal spores are most commonly dispersed by wind, while some other fungi entice insects to disperse their spores. Today I learned that the actual fruiting bodies of cleistothecial fungi cling to animals like birds, mammals and insects in hopes of dispersing to a new suitable habitat.
Read moreSoil Age; The Main Driver Of Plant And Fungal Adaptations Part II
The forest floor is heavily influenced by time
Using empirical evidence, this post revisits the ecological concepts associated with soil age.
Read more#FUNGIFRIDAY The common split gill; Schizophyllum commune
Photo by Zaca Lepista. Specimen found in Portugal.
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Cultivate knowledge from the forest floor. Learn about the adaptations that has lead to this species global distribution.
Read more#FUNGIFRIDAY The Northern tooth fungus
Climacodon septentrionalis. Photo by Terri Clements.
Happy Fungi Friday! Learn about the charismatic parasite-the northern tooth fungus. Increase you mycological knowledge, so you can become a steward for the forest floor.
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