Publisher's Synopsis
Imagine a world without fungi. All the fallen trees, dead leaves, animal remains and other detritus would accumulate until the surface of the planet resembled a vast refuse tip, with little room for living things to exist. The job of breaking down organic materials and recycling the component molecules back into the environment is just one of the essential roles of fungi.
This book is a wonderful resource for botanists and all those interested in fungi. The focus is on the larger fungi; those which have an obvious fruiting body. Roy Watling takes the reader step-by-step through the detailed biology and ecology of the larger fungi, using examples drawn from all parts of the world.
Fungi are present in almost every habitat on earth, and single specimens can occupy several hectares of land. They occupy a key place at the base of the food chain and are of great economic and biological importance, but it is only recently that scientists have begun to realize the ecological significance of fungi. The chapter on conservation gives an idea of just how vital it is to study and protect the habitats in which they thrive.
