Fungi and decomposition

Fungi that do not form supportive or parasitic relationships with plants and animals feed on the debris of life. These are saprotrophs that decompose dead roots, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, twigs, branches, upright tree trunks, and fallen logs. Wood is decomposed by a combination of white rot and brown rot basidiomycetes that produce mushrooms. Other fungi grow on animal faeces and decompose the tissues of dead invertebrates and vertebrates. Fungi also clear up our mess, breaking down every natural product used in a lifetime of consumerism and destroying synthetic materials made by industry. ‘Fungi and decomposition’ describes the saprotrophic fungi and considers their significance in the global carbon cycle.