Some records of wood-inhabiting fungi on Fagus sylvatica in northern Spain

Es presenta una llista d'algunes recol·leccions interessants de macromicets sobre Fagus, fetes en algunes prospeccions a Astúries i Navarra, en novembre de 2005 . Pel cap baix, Antrodiella fissiliformis, Nemania carbonacea y Phellinus cavicola representen les primeres citacions per a l 'estat espanyol. Des del punt de vista de l' interès per a la conservació de la biodiversitat fúngica, les reserves integrals de Lizardoia i Aztaparreta, a Navarra, es consideren d'especial importància per a la conservació dels fongs saproxílics fagícoles del sud-oest d'Europa. Aquest treball vol estimular també l 'estudi continuat dels fongs lignícoles a les fagedes de l 'estat espanyol.Se presenta una lista de algunos allaazgos interesantes de macromicetes lignícolas sobre Fagus, realizados durante las prospecciones en Asturias y Navarra, en noviembre de 2005. Por lo menos Antrodiella fissiliformis, Nemania carbonacea y Phellinus cavicola representan primeras citas para España. desde una prespectiva de la conservación de la biodiversidad fúngica, las reservas integrales de L izardoia i Aztaparreta, en Navarra, se consideran de especial importancia para la conservación de los hongos saproxílicos fagícolas en el sudoeste de Europa. Este trabajo esta orientado también a fomentar el estudio continuado de los hongos lignícolas en los hayedos de España.A list is given of some interesting records of lignicolous macrofungi found on Fagus during some excursions in Asturias and Navarra in November 2005 . At least Antrodiella fissiliformis, Nemania carbonacea and Phellinus cavicola represent frrst records for the country. In a conservation perspective, the strict forest reserves Lizardoia and Aztaparreta in Navarra are considered to be important for the conservation of saproxylic fungi on beech in south western Europe. It is our hope that the paper will inspire to continued studies of wood-inhabiting fungi in beech forests in Spain

Some records of wood-inhabiting fungi on Fagus sylvatica in northern Spain

Es presenta una llista d'algunes recol·leccions interessants de macromicets sobre Fagus, fetes en algunes prospeccions a Astúries i Navarra, en novembre de 2005 . Pel cap baix, Antrodiella fissiliformis, Nemania carbonacea y Phellinus cavicola representen les primeres citacions per a l 'estat espanyol. Des del punt de vista de l' interès per a la conservació de la biodiversitat fúngica, les reserves integrals de Lizardoia i Aztaparreta, a Navarra, es consideren d'especial importància per a la conservació dels fongs saproxílics fagícoles del sud-oest d'Europa. Aquest treball vol estimular també l 'estudi continuat dels fongs lignícoles a les fagedes de l 'estat espanyol.A list is given of some interesting records of lignicolous macrofungi found on Fagus during some excursions in Asturias and Navarra in November 2005 . At least Antrodiella fissiliformis, Nemania carbonacea and Phellinus cavicola represent frrst records for the country. In a conservation perspective, the strict forest reserves Lizardoia and Aztaparreta in Navarra are considered to be important for the conservation of saproxylic fungi on beech in south western Europe. It is our hope that the paper will inspire to continued studies of wood-inhabiting fungi in beech forests in Spain.Se presenta una lista de algunos allaazgos interesantes de macromicetes lignícolas sobre Fagus, realizados durante las prospecciones en Asturias y Navarra, en noviembre de 2005. Por lo menos Antrodiella fissiliformis, Nemania carbonacea y Phellinus cavicola representan primeras citas para España. desde una prespectiva de la conservación de la biodiversidad fúngica, las reservas integrales de L izardoia i Aztaparreta, en Navarra, se consideran de especial importancia para la conservación de los hongos saproxílicos fagícolas en el sudoeste de Europa. Este trabajo esta orientado también a fomentar el estudio continuado de los hongos lignícolas en los hayedos de España

Diversity and composition of dead wood inhabiting fungal and bryophyte communities

Species composition and diversity of fungi and bryophyte communities occurring on dead beech trees were analysed in five European countries (Slovenia, Hungary, The Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark). Altogether 1009 trees were inventoried in 19 beech dominated forest reserves. The realized species pool of fungi was approximately three times larger than that of bryophytes (456 versus 161 species). The two most important factors influencing the composition of both fungal and bryophyte assemblages were decay stage of the trees and geographic region. In the case of fungi the effect of decay stage exceeded the effect of geographical difference, whereas in the case of bryophytes it was the opposite. For both organism groups species richness per tree was positively associated with tree size. In the case of fungi obligate wood decaying species dominated the studied communities in all countries. Bryophyte communities were composed of species belonging to widely different ecological groups. The proportion of epixylic species was higher in Slovenia than in Hungary (more continental climate) and in the Atlantic region (lower naturalness of sites). The significance of bryophyte taxonomic groups changed with countries: in Slovenia hepatics, in Hungary and Denmark pleurocarps, and in The Netherlands and Belgium acrocarps were the most important. Diversity of communities differed considerably among regions. Slovenian sites were the hotspot of bryophyte diversity characterized by high alpha (species richness of trees) and beta (species richness of sites) diversity and a high fraction of rare and threatened species. Fungal alpha diversity is low, but beta diversity is high with rich occurrences of infrequent and threatened species. This richness is most likely caused by the combination of high air humidity and a very high degree of naturalness of the Slovenian sites. Hungarian stands are characterized by intermediate levels of fungal alpha and beta diversity, intermediate to rather high levels of bryophyte alpha and beta diversity, and very high fractions of rare and threatened fungal species. These characteristics reflect the relatively high naturalness of the study sites, as well as a rather continental climate. In the Danish sites alpha and beta diversity of fungal assemblages, as well as the number of infrequent species was high, while the number of threatened species was intermediate. For bryophytes, alpha diversity was low and beta diversity was intermediate. These characteristics are explained by a combination of forest history, present forest structure and climatic traits, and show that Danish beech reserves have a good potential for restoring rich bryophyte and fungal communities if more or bigger forest reserves are declared. The Belgium site was characterized by high alpha, but 4 low beta fungal diversity, and intermediate alpha, but low beta bryophyte diversity, and a rather low frequency of threatened species. These patterns seem to reflect the favourable climate for growth in combination with severe impact from past human disturbance. The Dutch sites are characterized by low fungal alpha and beta diversity, and low bryophyte alpha, but intermediate beta diversity, and very low frequencies of threatened species in both groups. These characteristics clearly relate to the low degree of naturalness of the beech forests in The Netherlands

Diversity of dead wood inhabiting fungal and bryophytes in semi-natural beech forests in Europe

Saproxylic organisms are among the most threatened species in Europe and constitute a major conservation problem because they depend on the most important forestry product - dead wood. Diversity of fungal and bryophyte communities occurring on dead beech trees was analyzed in five European countries (Slovenia, Hungary, The Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark) considering tree level species richness (TLSR), country level species richness (CLSR), frequency distributions of species, occurrence of threatened species and relations between TLSR and decay stage, tree size and countries. Altogether 1009 trees were inventoried in 19 beech dominated forest reserves. The number of fungi in the full dataset was approximately three times larger (456 versus 161 species) and the proportion of low frequent species was higher than among bryophytes. The species richness of bryophytes and fungi was significantly different among countries considering both TLSR and CLSR. In addition the diversity patterns deviated considerably between the two groups of organisms. Slovenian sites appeared to be biodiversity hotspots for bryophytes characterized by high TLSR and CLSR and a high fraction of threatened species. Hungarian sites had somewhat lower bryophyte diversity, while the Atlantic region had deteriorated assemblages. Fungal species richness was very high in Denmark, but the Hungarian and Slovenian sites were richer in threatened and low frequency species. Tree size was better able to explain variation in TLSR in both organism groups than decay stage. TLSR was found to vary significantly between countries but the difference was most considerable! in the case of bryophytes. The diversity patterns of both organism groups along the investigated geographical gradient appear to be influenced by both climatic and management related factors (forest history, dead wood availability and continuity, habitat fragmentation). There is no doubt that an increase in the abundance of dead wood in European beech forests will benefit diversity of saproxylic fungi and bryophytes, especially if a continuous presence of large diameter logs are secured within individual stands