Ecology of Macrofungi: An Overview

Macrofungi are essential for human health, occupying diverse ecosystems and providing ecosystem services such as nutrition, medicine, and bioremediation. This book explores their distribution, decomposition, and ecological interactions in different habitats, highlighting their benefits to various fields.

Format: Hardback
Length: 336 pages
Publication date: 01 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Macrofungi play a vital role in human health, encompassing a wide range of applications in nutrition, medicine, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and industries. These remarkable organisms thrive in diverse ecosystems, including terrestrial (agricultural lands, forests, and deserts), freshwater (bogs and marshes), and maritime (mangroves and coastal sand dunes) habitats. Their ecological services, such as nutrition (for humans and animals), medicinal pursuits (antibiotics and pharmaceuticals), and bioremediation (degradation of xenobiotics and insect control), are directly linked to their remarkable diversity and environmental conditions. Macrofungal ecology serves as the foundation for understanding the potential of these fungi in nutraceutical values, agricultural benefits, plant productivity, environmental protection, and industrially valued biocomposites.

In this comprehensive book, we delve into various aspects of macrofungal distribution in diverse habitats. We explore their participation in organic matter decomposition, the intricate ectomycorrhizal associations they form, and their crucial role in biogeochemical cycles. We review the latest developments in macrofungal ecology across different environments and their numerous benefits. Macrofungi are of immense interest to mycologists, botanists, zoologists, ecologists, foresters, geneticists, agronomists, and field biologists due to the diverse topics covered in this book, including macrofungal diversity, distribution, dynamics, lifestyles, ecosystem or substrate preferences, and ecosystem services.

Understanding the distribution and ecological significance of macrofungi is essential for developing sustainable strategies in agriculture, forestry, and environmental management. Macrofungi can enhance soil fertility, promote plant growth, and mitigate the impact of environmental stressors. They also have potential applications in medicine, where they can be used as natural remedies or as sources of bioactive compounds. Furthermore, macrofungi play a vital role in bioremediation, helping to clean up contaminated environments and restore ecosystems.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of macrofungal distribution, ecology, and applications. It is a valuable resource for researchers, students, and professionals interested in fungi, ecology, and environmental science. By exploring the diverse roles of macrofungi in different habitats, we can better appreciate their importance and potential for sustainable development.

Weight: 802g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032551531