The value of fungi in forest ecosystems

Value of fungi in forest ecosystems

Name: Allen Grace Tandog Niego

keyword: Bioactivities

MeSH: Ecosystem services

Classification :.DDC: e-Theses

; Cultivation

MeSH: Biology -- Classification -- 59923

MeSH: Phylogeny

MeSH: Valuation

MeSH: Macrofungi

MeSH: Fungi

MeSH: Fungi -- Ecology

LCSH: Ecosystem services

LCSH: Biology -- Classification -- 59923

LCSH: Phylogeny

LCSH: Valuation

Abstract: Macrofungi are vital components of forests that perform different crucial functions to ecosystem functioning and processes such as nutrient cycling. Ectomycorrhizal fungi and plant symbionts work together to accumulate, use, and transfer essential nutrients, especially in nitrogen/phosphorus-limited environments. Pathogenic and parasitic macrofungi exploit other resources such as plants and animals to obtain the nutrients needed for growth. These groups of macrofungi also contribute to the species diversity of forest ecosystems. Saprotrophic macrofungi degrade the available organic matter of dead plants and the organic matter of the soil. Macrofungi also play an important role in carbon sequestration in the forest underground, as well as in soil formation. Macrofungi remediate pollutants in the environment through extracellular enzymes. Mycelial networks that connect macrofungi to their symbiotic hosts and substrates enable most of these functions. Mycelial networks facilitate the absorption and transport of nutrients, as well as the secretion of enzymes and other organic substances. Spore-producing bodies of macrofungi serve as a food source for wildlife. Fungal spores can act as aerosols in rain formation. All these functions of macrofungi are necessary for maintaining biodiversity and healthy forest ecosystems. However, the contributions of macrofungi to ecosystem processes are often taken for granted or not fully recognized, offering key services that are easily overlooked in planning processes and policy making. Fungi do not only provide ecological and environmental services to humans, as well as health and nutritional benefits, but are also vital to numerous industries. Fermented food and beverage products from fungi are circulating in the market, generating billions of USD. However, the highest potential monetary value of fungi is their role in blue carbon trading because of their ability to sequester large amounts of carbon in the soil. There are no conclusive estimates available on the global monetary value of fungi, primarily because there are limited data for extrapolation. This study outlines the contribution of fungi to the global economy and provides a first attempt at quantifying the global monetary value of fungi. Our estimate of USD 54.57 trillion provides a starting point that can be studied and improved, highlighting the significance of fungi, and providing an appreciation of their value. This paper identifies the different economically valuable products and services provided by fungi. By giving a monetary value to all important fungal products, services, and industrial applications underscores their significance in biodiversity and conservation. Furthermore, if the value of fungi is well established, they will be considered in future policies for effective ecosystem management. To contribute to the value of fungi, we introduce three novel taxa and noted the first records of Hymenopellis and Volvariella species. The macroscopic and microscopic morphological characteristics of each specimen are described. Maximum likelihood and Bayesian phylogenetic analyses were performed in the combined ITS and nrLSU regions to confirm taxonomical placement and infer the phylogenetic affinities of the studied species. Hymenopellis is the most diverse genus in the group of oudemansielloid/xeruloid taxa of Physalacriaceae. This genus has a worldwide distribution with records mostly from Europe and America. Asian taxa are the least represented. Two novel species are introduced and Hymenopellis sp. from Thailand is described. The novel species Hymenopellis straminea Niego, & Raspé, sp. nov. has straw-yellow, medium-sized basidiomata. The cheilocystidia are abundant and diverse in form, while the pleurocystidia are few in numbers and narrowly lageniform to fusiform. Clamp connections were observed at the lower part of the stipe. Hymenopellis utriformis Niego, & Raspé, sp. nov. has mostly utriform pleurocystidia and 2-spored basidia. Phylogenetic analyses showed that the new species specimens from this study formed distinct clades well supported by bootstrap proportions and posterior probabilities. In this study, a morphological description and phylogenetic placement of a Hymenopellis specimen affine to H. orientalis is also reported. The specimen in this study produced 2-spored basidia, whereas other published descriptions of other specimens mention 4-spored basidia. Furthermore, the genetic distance between the ITS sequences of this specimen and the Hymenopellis orientalis specimens from GenBank were 1.30–2.57%. Therefore, the conspecificity of our specimen with H. orientalis is uncertain and additional specimens are needed to fully confirm its identity. A new species and a first record of Volvariella are also reported from Thailand based on morphological and phylogenetic evidence. The most important features that distinguish Volvariella rostricystidiata Niego, Sysouph., K.D. Hyde & Raspé, sp. nov. are the broadly clavate to obovoid cheilocystidia with a rostrate apex and the scattered, slender, and usually fusiform pleurocystidia, which lack a rostrum. Volvariella pulla, recently described from Vietnam, is reported here from northern Thailand based on morphology and sequence data. Limited studies have documented the cultivation of Hymenopellis species. This mushroom is commercially cultivated in China. This study is the first attempt to cultivate a wild strain of Hymenopellis and establish the nutrient content. Pure mycelium was isolated from internal tissues on malt extract agar (MEA). Sorghum grain was used in spawn preparation. Spawns were inoculated in bags of four different substrate formulas, and sawdust was used as the main substrate and other additives. The cultivation process was carried out for four months. Hymenopellis sp. (MFLU 19-1658) has an average yield ranging from 10.8±17.9 to 115.5±73.5 grams of basidiomata per substrate formula with an average biological efficiency ranging from 3.0±5.0 to 32.1±20.4% with the highest values exhibited by (A) sawdust (98%) + CaO (1%) + gypsum (1%), followed by (B) sawdust (30%) + corncobs (60%) + rice bran (8%) + CaO (1%) + gypsum (1%). In this study, the nutrient content of the cultivated basidiomata was also determined. The results indicated that the obtained basidiomata contained carbohydrate, crude fat, crude fiber, and protein at 49.2, 8.0, 16.5, and 17.8%, respectively. Moreover, some bioactivities such as antimicrobial, antidiabetic and cytotoxicity of Hymenopellis (MFLU19-1658, MFLU22-0141) and Volvariella (HT19-0030) strains were tested. Hymenopellis and Volvariella strains are edible mushrooms with antimicrobial and antidiabetic activities. These strains also have no cytotoxic effect on non-tumor cells. Lastly, a preliminary study was also conducted on the local market value of wild mushrooms in northern Thailand. Mushroom foraging is an alternative livelihood for local people in northern Thailand. Mushrooms can also feed the family of local pickers. Some collectors only pick mushrooms for family consumption, although most collectors pick them hoping to be sold. Mushroom foraging can provide high income to local collectors and sellers from THB 35,200 up to THB 221,667 annually, depending on the species of mushroom collected.

LCSH: Macrofungi

LCSH: Fungi

LCSH: Fungi -- Ecology

Mae Fah Luang University. Learning Resources and Educational Media Center

Address: CHIANG RAI

Email: library@mfu.ac.th

Name: Naritsada Thongklang

Role: Advisor

Created: 2022

Modified: 2023-07-13

Issued: 2023-07-13

วิทยานิพนธ์/Thesis

application/pdf

CallNumber: e-Theses

eng

DegreeName: Doctor of Philosophy

Level: Doctoral Degree

Descipline: Biological Sciences

Grantor: Mae Fah Luang University

©copyrights Mae Fah Luang University

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