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Veteran and ancient trees are key structures sustaining biodiversity in wooded landscapes. Their value depends on tree‐related microhabitats (TreMs) such as hollows, cracks and other structures related to wounds and wood decay. Decline and loss of veteran trees results in the loss of TreMs thus threatening the biodiversity associated with them. Veteranisation, that is, interventions aimed at creating or accelerating formation of rare TreMs in live trees, are thus increasingly applied to bridge gaps in habitat continuity and sustain the biodiversity associated with veteran trees. Several studies investigated the use of artificially created TreMs by various organisms. No study has, however, investigated saproxylic beetles attracted to freshly veteranised trees, and how different veteranisation techniques affect attractivity of veteranised trees to saproxylic beetles. We veteranised 48 sessile oaks using two types of deep and two types of shallow cuts and trapped saproxylic beetles on the veteranised and control trees in the first season after the intervention. The sampling yielded 280 species (6171 individuals) of saproxylic beetles, including 64 that are threatened. Veteranised trees attracted more abundant and diverse communities than control trees. Community composition differed between shallow and deep cuts and between the two types of deep cuts. Freshly veteranised trees thus attract diverse and abundant communities of saproxylic beetles consisting mainly of species potentially exploiting the wounds. The high proportion of threatened species, often associated with old oaks, suggests that veteranised trees benefit even some threatened saproxylic biodiversity already during the first year after the veteranisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sporocarps of macrofungi support other diverse fungal species that are termed fungicolous fungi. However, the external environmental factors that affect the diversity and composition of fungicolous fungal communities remains largely unknown. In this study, the diversities, composition, and trophic modes of fungicolous fungal communities residing in host macrofungi from diverse habitats in the Qinling Mountains were analyzed. Additionally, the number of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) encoded by saprophytic, pathogenic, and symbiotic fungi was also quantified and compared. The results revealed that the diversity and composition of fungicolous fungal communities varied with months of collection and the habitats of host fungi, and saprophytic fungi were more abundant on wood than on the ground. Meanwhile, it was also found that saprophytic fungi possessed higher abundances of cell-wall-degrading enzymes than pathogenic or symbiotic fungi. Based on the above findings, it was hypothesized that the greater abundance of saprophytic fungi on wood compared to the ground may be due to their possession of a more diverse array of enzymes capable of degrading wood cell walls, thereby allowing for more efficient nutrient acquisition from decaying wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objectives: Painting on wood had become popular in Iran during the Safavid period and reached its peak during the Zand and Qajar periods. The art of painting and writing inscriptions on wood as one of the unique arrays in Iran has been forgotten but their technical and pathological studies will greatly help to preserve and perpetuate such works. Preservation of wood in historical buildings, where color arrays are also applied, is a complex task. The challenge of this work is related to the multiple material characteristics of the work, the type of interventions and the selection of protective chemicals that should be considered in these works. In fact, by fully understanding the work, it is possible to provide a protection solution. The purpose of this article is to identify the materials, structure and damage of the different layers of the historical headstones of the Taghavi House in Gorgan. Methodology: The wooden lion heads of the Taghavi House in Gorgan, which have written inscriptions along with plant motifs and frames, are the study samples of the current research. The type and amount of the sample was chosen according to the existing uncertainties as well as the test method. In total, four wood samples and four paint samples were prepared. For the technical study of these works, transmission electron microscope, Dino-Lite plus digital microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with EDS detector were used. Also, under standard laboratory conditions, fungi cultivation and wood acidity were measured. Results: The black spots in the examination with a digital microscope indicate the presence and growth of biological factors on the surface of wood, which were sampled in a part of them to cultivate and identify the fungi. Initial observations with a digital microscope indicate the destruction of wood components caused by biological factors and the reduction of wood strength. In the first investigation, according to the cross-sections of all the samples (three samples), it was found that the samples are broad-leaved woods. The vessels are evenly distributed. In the tangential section, single-celled and multi-celled wood rays can be seen, the width of which reaches about 25 cells. The size of the vessels is almost the same and of a homogeneous and scattered type of vessel. In this sample, two to four vessels are stuck together. The average size of the vessels was measured to be 59 micrometers. Also, the frequency of vessels per square millimeter was calculated to be 130 vessels per millimeter on average. In two samples 2021.G.T.3 and 2021.G.T.8, the vessels are heterogeneous, separated and their cross section is relatively round. Heterogeneous holes and part of the aperture can be seen and some of them are tiled. The diameter of the vessels is specific from spring and summer wood. In the tangential section, single- celled or multi-celled wood rays are observed. In the continuation of the studies, the study samples were examined with a scanning electron microscope with different magnifications. The cell wall in a sample is weakened and is collapsing. Also, the growth of fungi can be clearly seen among the wooden structure. In the other two samples, the cellulosic walls are severely damaged and we see dissociation and rupture between the cellulosic layers. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the wood used for historical lion heads is beech and oak wood. Also, fungi such as Aspergillus terius, Alternaria, Aspergillus niger and Cladosporium were identified in the wood structure. The destruction of the cell wall and the decay of the wood structure were identified. Also, azure blue, syringe red, white flowers, as well as a mixture of carbon black and iron black colors have been used on historical wood as patterns and writings. This study can be very important for the proper preservation of historical wooden works of Gorgan region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown-rot fungi are large fungi that can decompose the cell walls of wood; they are notable for their secretion of diverse and complex enzymes that synergistically hydrolyze natural wood cellulose molecules. Fomitopsis pinicola (F. pinicola) is a brown-rot fungus of interest for its ability to break down the cellulose in wood efficiently. In this study, through a combination of rDNA-ITS analysis and morphological observation, the wood decay pathogen infecting Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis Siebold and Zucc.) was identified. Endoglucanase (CMCase) and β-glucosidase were quantified using the DNS (3,5-Dinitrosalicylic acid) method, and the cellulase activity was optimized using a single-factor method and orthogonal test. The results revealed that the wood-decaying fungus NE1 identified was Fomitopsis pinicola with the ITS accession number OQ880566.1. The highest cellulase activity of the strain reached 116.94 U/mL under the condition of an initial pH of 6.0, lactose 15 g·L−1, KH2PO4 0.5 g·L−1, NH4NO3 15 g·L−1, MgSO4 0.5 g·L−1, VB1 0.4 g·L−1, inoculated two 5 mm fungal cakes in 80 mL medium volume cultured 28 °C for 5 days. This laid a foundation for improving the degradation rate of cellulose and biotransformation research, as well as exploring the degradation of cellulose by brown rot fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ecological impact of windthrow disturbance on humipedons and soil microarthropod communities is examined in two areas of the Italian Alps (Val di Fassa and Cansiglio) five years after the Vaia Storm. The following soil coverage conditions were identified: herbaceous vegetation (G), decaying wood (W), no vegetation (B) in windthrow areas; and these were compared with conditions in adjacent undisturbed intact forests (IF) and, only in Val di Fassa, with permanent meadows (M). Soil pH, soil organic matter content (SOM), humus systems and microarthropod communities were analyzed. In Val di Fassa, SOM loss was observed in windthrow areas vs. IF, moving toward a Mull humus system, while G evolved toward M-like conditions, W maintained a thicker O horizon and lower pH and B exhibited severe soil erosion and the lowest SOM. In Cansiglio, windthrow areas showed a slower transition to a Mull system, with a trend toward increasing pH and decreasing SOM. A clear relationship between microarthropod communities and humus systems could not be established because the consistency and biological origins of the humus diagnostic horizons were not considered. Microarthropod communities under different conditions exhibited significant dissimilarity, with varying responses across groups; Shannon and QBS-ar indices remained stable except for a significant decrease in B. Community dissimilarity thus appears to be enhanced by post-windthrow disturbance, suggesting that destructive windstorms may also present an opportunity for enriched microarthropod diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Restoration of the pool of coarse woody debris after disturbances is one of the mechanisms for maintaining the stability of forest biogeocenoses. The studies of coarse woody debris have been carried out in the “Vepssky Forest” Reserve in the Leningrad Region on 8 sample plots established in primary forests (4 sample plots) and in secondary forests of the 1st generation after logging in 1973–1974 (4 sample plots), where the composition and structure of the stand, as well as the site conditions have been identical to those in primary forests. The coarse woody debris has been inventoried on transects. The stocks of coarse woody debris in primary stands have ranged from 104 to 233 m3 ha–1. Windfall and leaning trees have prevailed. The proportion of deadwood in both primary and secondary forests has been low. Clear cutting has significantly changed not only the stock of coarse woody debris, but also its distribution by decay classes and substrate categories. The stocks of coarse woody debris in secondary forests have ranged from 8 to 40 m3 ha–1, and have been mainly represented by stumps. The coarse woody debris of the 4th and 5th decay classes has almost been absent in primary forests, while in secondary forests the proportion of highly decomposed wood remaining after cutting has been about 50 %. The ratio of coarse woody debris and growing stocks has been on average 1:1 and 1:5 in the biogeocenoses of primary and secondary forests, respectively. The annual carbon balance of coarse woody debris (the difference in fluxes due to the loss of growing forest and the decay of coarse woody debris) has ranged from 0,40 to 2,80 t C ha–1 year–1, averaging 1,75 and 0,63 t C ha–1 year–1 in secondary and primary forests, respectively. The positive annual carbon balance in the coarse woody debris is due to the predominance of the rate of the loss of growing forest over the rate of the decay of coarse woody debris in primary forests as a result of wind disturbances and as a result of self-thinning of the stand in secondary forests.

Termites are important ecosystem engineers in many ecosystems globally. Hence, surveys of termite species composition, abundance and activity can be important for understanding ecosystem function—especially in biomes where they tend to be abundant, such as tropical savannas. However, comprehensively surveying termites can be challenging due to their cryptic nature and varied feeding and nesting habits, which strongly influence the effectiveness of different survey methods. Baiting and active searches of reduced transects are two methods commonly used to sample termites, and while these methods have been evaluated in the savannas of South Africa, this has not occurred in the extensive tropical savannas of northern Australia. Thus, this study evaluated the effectiveness of baits and reduced transects to assess termite species richness and activity across 18 × 1 ha experimental plots in a tropical savanna near Darwin, Australia. Surveys in each plot consisted of two 60 × 2 m transects and a 9 × 3 baiting grid of alternating buried wood and paper baits and surface straw baits. Baits were checked three times: at 4‐, 7‐ and 10‐week intervals following placement. Upon survey completion, the sampling effort, efficacy and costs of each method were compared. Reduced transects detected all 32 species recorded in this study, representing four feeding groups (from undecayed wood to highly decayed organic material in the soil). Baiting detected 20 species, but failed to detect some of the species that fed on decayed materials. Paper baits, checked only twice (at 4 and 10 weeks following placement), were required to detect all species sampled at both wood and paper baits. Therefore, overall baiting costs could be reduced (without data loss) by using paper baits only and reducing the number of bait checks. Compared with baiting using all three bait types, reduced transects detected the most species and had the lowest per‐species cost. Consequently, reduced transect surveys are the most effective method in these northern Australian savannas when assessing species composition. However, if the abundance of species that feed on undecayed wood or levels of termite activity are being assessed, then reduced baiting is a more appropriate method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Serpula himantioides is a widely distributed wood rot fungus that causes heart rot in various tree species. In Japan, heart rot associated with S. himantioides occurs in Chamaecyparis pisifera; however, its distribution within living trees and changes in its abundance as decay progresses remain unclear. In this study, we used a real‐time polymerase chain reaction (real‐time PCR) assay to specifically detect and quantify S. himantioides in wood. This allowed us to determine the distribution of S. himantioides in living C. pisifera and to monitor changes in its abundance as decay progressed. In addition, the mode of decay progression was characterized using nonhierarchical clustering. Serpula himantioides was detected from both decayed and undecayed heartwood and at sites as high as 12 m in the trunk, suggesting that it was widely distributed in the heartwood. The clustering analysis grouped samples into three clusters corresponding to the incipient, intermediate and advanced stages of decay. The abundance of S. himantioides increased from the incipient stage to the intermediate stage of decay and decreased at the advanced stage. The results quantitatively showed that intermediate stage decay moved up the trunk and replaced the part corresponding to the incipient stage as decay progressed. These results will be useful for devising methods for the early detection of heart rot caused by S. himantioides and to understand the progress of decay caused by wood rot fungi in living trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleurotheciaceae is a genera-rich and highly diverse family of fungi with a worldwide distribution in aquatic and terrestrial habitats. During the investigation of lignicolous freshwater fungi from karst landscapes in Yunnan Province, China, 15 fresh strains were obtained from submerged decaying wood. Based on the morphology and phylogenetic analysis of a combined LSU, ITS, SSU, and rpb2 sequence dataset, Obliquifusoideum triseptatum, Phaeoisaria obovata, Pleurotheciella brachyspora, Pl. longidenticulata, and Pl. obliqua were introduced as new species, P. synnematica and Rhexoacrodictys melanospora were reported as new habitat records, and P. sedimenticola and Pl. hyalospora were reported as new collections. In addition, based on morphological comparisons and phylogenetic analysis, we accepted Obliquifusoideum into in the family Pleurotheciaceae (Pleurotheciales, Savoryellomycetidae). Freshwater habitats are the primary habitats of Pleurotheciaceae species, and Yunnan Province has the highest concentration and species diversity of Pleurotheciaceae in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent wood composite (TWC) is a novel wood-based polymer composite that combines high optical transmittance (more than 80%) with good mechanical and thermal properties. It offers numerous potential areas of applications, including smart windows, energy-efficient elements, display panels, light diffusers and substrates for solar cells. The sensitivity of TWC towards moisture and biological agents such as fungus becomes important for certain applications. In this study, TWCs were prepared using wood veneers of Populus deltoides (poplar) and Melia dubia (melia) through the process of lignin-modification bleaching and epoxy-resin infiltration. Water-absorption studies were carried out by immersing TWC specimens in deionized water for a duration of 400 h and by exposing specimens to different relative humidity (RH) conditions. The fungal resistance was evaluated by exposing specimens to a brown rot (Oligoporous placentus) and a white rot (Trametes hirsutu) fungus. Results indicated that TWC can absorb a maximum of 8% to 10% of water during a water immersion test for a period of 400 h. Exposing TWC specimens to different RH conditions resulted in no significant moisture adsorption. TWC was highly resistant to white rot and brown rot fungus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fungus Physisporinus vitreus and the bacterium Bacillus subtilis are commonly used organisms in wood biotechnology to increase wood permeability. However, comparative researches on wood destruction by these biological wood decomposers are scarce, particularly from microscopic and chemical perspectives. This study aimed to compare the fungal and bacterial wood destruction patterns over time. Loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) heartwood samples were exposed to both organisms for six and nine weeks; microscopic and spectroscopic analyses of the incubated wood were performed, and mass loss of samples was calculated. Both organisms initially destroyed the pit tori and ray parenchyma cells, but B. subtilis was more selective in its consumption of wood components. It exclusively consumed hemicelluloses and free carbohydrates in wood, whereas the fungus destroyed all chemical components simultaneously. The digestion of bordered pits by B. subtilis was more selective than that by P. vitreus, making it a better choice for controlled wood destruction. By extending the exposure duration, the bacterial destruction pattern remained consistent, whereas fungal destruction spread to the secondary wall of the tracheids. Understanding the interactions between microbes and wood can lead to a more effective and efficient use of this natural resource. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that commonly occurring mold fungi have the ability to develop very quickly on the surface of wood chips and the ongoing studies on finding the ways to use degraded wood, the conducted research was aimed at determining the physical and mechanical properties of chipboards containing various amounts (0%, 30%, 50%, and 70%) of pine chips inoculated with Aspergillus and Penicillium fungi, varying in a degree of infestation. The inoculation did not cause significant changes in the chemical composition of chips; however, it caused a decrease in the pH of their surface after nine-week incubation. While using them, lowered pH caused a deterioration in the mechanical characteristics of the boards and increased their thickness swelling and water absorption. Moreover, no changes in density, formaldehyde content and decomposition by brown-rot fungi were found. Overall, it was concluded that the addition of partially infested chips did not significantly affect any properties of the board; however, in the case of complete overgrowth, the amount of degraded chips should be less than 30%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for wooden raw materials is constantly on the rise. Meeting this interest requires developing new timber supply chains, tackling illegal trade, using timber more efficiently, and enhancing the service life of wood-based products. From this point of view, sweet chestnut wood can be successfully used, alone or mixed with poplar, to manufacture Oriented Strand Board (OSB). This article assesses the fungal resistance of OSB/3 (load-bearing boards for use in humid conditions) made with different fractions of poplar (P) and sweet chestnut (SC) wood, in order to take advantage of the protective action of the tannins contained in the latter. Four types of OSB/3 were manufactured on an industrial scale: 100% P; 80% P and 20% SC; 50% P and 50% SC; 100% SC. The durability of the experimental boards was determined in accordance with the EN 113-3 standard (2023). No significant differences in mass loss were found for OSB/3 with different sweet chestnut wood fractions. Instead, the mass loss of these panels was significantly lower (i.e. fungal resistance was higher) than that of the poplar OSB/3 and poplar plywood tested for comparison. Based on the results, the use of sweet chestnut wood has interesting potential for the manufacturing of OSB/3 made with adequate gluing quality, suitable for applications in environments where fungal decay may occur. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood is considered to be one of the most important materials in the global economy. Wood loses shelf life in countries with severe winters. Pentachlorophenol (PCP) was predominantly used as a wood preservative because of its efficacy in controlling wood decay. This study discussed the overall impact of PCP across various environmental matrices, including soil, plants, water, air, and humans. Pentachlorophenol is a phenol substituted with five chloro-groups. High chlorination levels and stability of PCP make it hazardous to the environment, and persistent, and it also interferes with human, aquatic, and soil microbial health. PCP is volatile; thus, it is constantly discharged into the atmosphere and ingested by the human population. Owing to its hazardous nature, it was added to the Stockholm Convention's list of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and phased out of the industry in 2023. This review has summarized PCP properties, usage, production volume, different transformation pathways, and its harmful effects on different environmental matrices such as air, water, soil, crops, and human health which have helped to outline the expected features of the new chemical compared with PCP. The improved chemical is intended to have quick degradability, fewer chlorine atoms, no aromatic structure, be non-toxic, environmentally benign, and efficient against wood deterioration while also penetrating the wood better. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusichalara pallida sp. nov. is described from decaying wood submerged in a freshwater stream in Taiwan. The phylogenetic relationship of Fusichalara species was sought among representative taxa from related fungal lineages, namely the Chaetosphaeriales and Glomerellalles in the Sordariomycetes, and various other ordinal groups in the Eurotiomycetes, by comparing the concatenated ITS and LSU sequences of their nuc rDNA. The novel Fusichalara species from Taiwan clustered with F. minuta within the Sclerococcales besides other ordinal groups in the Eurotiomycetes. Morphologically, F. pallida is comparable with F. dimorphospora and F. novae-zelandiae in having long-cylindrical first-formed conidia and fusiform subsequent conidia with paler end cells, however, they differ in conidial dimensions. With the addition of this novel taxon, Fusichala now comprises seven species. A synopsis of these species and a composite illustration of their conidial morphology are given to ease identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Angiosperm fossil woods of putative Eocene age from Corcovado, Chubut Province are described. They are placed in four taxonomic units: Weinmannioxylon trichospermoides and cf. Caldcluvioxylon of the Cunoniaceae, Myrceugenellites maytenoides of the Myrtaceae, and Nothofagoxylon ruei of the Nothofagaceae. The taxa in the assemblage are in accordance with similar fossil wood assemblages previously described from the Eocene and Oligocene of Patagonia. All the taxa are anatomically similar to trees that live today in Patagonia. Some of the woods show decay patterns by different saproxylic organisms. These include arthropod borings with coprolites and fungal remains in fungi-decayed tissues that are consistent with an active saproxylic community involved in the recycling of wood in the depositional paleoenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drylands are characterized by high spatial variability in resource availability due to sporadic rainfall, topography of the landscape and important effects of animals. Resource availability gradients may trigger patterns in decomposer population abundances and activity, which could affect ecosystem functions such as decomposition. Here, we examined the influence of resource availability gradients on the importance of termites in the decomposition of wood and grass litter. We placed wood blocks and grass litter baits in bags accessible and inaccessible to termites across wood and grass resource gradients as determined by the presence or absence of a top mammalian predator and across topographic gradients during a 9‐month period in arid Australia. We hypothesized that grass‐eating termite activity would track grass abundance and wood‐eating termite activity would track wood abundance. Termites were the predominant decomposition agent at these sites. Termites contributed to 99.5% of wood decomposition and 83.9% of grass decomposition during our study period. For wood, the termite effect was spatially variable and increased with habitat wood availability, which was greatest on dunes and where top predators were absent. However, the contribution of termites to grass litter decomposition did not track grass availability or termite abundance. The highest effects of termites on grass decomposition rates were found in habitats where the absence of top predators led to low grass availability. Our findings highlight how spatial variability in resources in addition to other factors that we do not document but are known to be influenced by the presence of top predators, such as insectivore predation rates, across the landscape could affect ecosystem functions such as decomposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sclerotia of Wolfiporia hoelen (Fr.) Y.C. Dai & V. Papp is an important traditional Chinese medicine with diverse pharmacological properties. This study utilized a combination of PacBio Long-Read Sequencing, Illumina Short-Read Sequencing, and Hi-C Sequencing to generate a high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of a W. hoelen strain Minling A5. There were 112 contigs in the genome, with 62.95 Mb in total length and 4.21 Mb in length for the contig N50. The average GC content was 51.89%. Based on Hi-C data, we corrected the CCS data and scaffolded them into 14 pseudo-chromosomes. The genome contained 44.37% repetitive sequences and 12,670 protein-coding genes, 86.53% (10,963) of which could be functionally annotated in at least one of the KOG, GO, Pfam, Swissprot, TrEMBL, NR, and KEGG databases. In addition, 240 transfer RNAs, 97 ribosomal RNAs, and 103 other non-coding RNAs were identified in the W. hoelen genome. A total of 755 pseudogenes were also identified, with an average length of 2665.51 bp. Further, there were 398, 100, 2837, 519, and 2068 genes annotated by CAZymes, TCDB, PHI, P450, and DFVF databases, respectively. One notable attribute of W. hoelen is its capacity to thrive in a substrate of fresh pine sawdust. Through an analysis of the growth on various pure wood sawdust culture media, we found that the growth of W. hoelen and Sparassis latifolia on pine sawdust was similar to that on broad-leaved wood sawdust, while the growth of Pleurotus ostreatus, P. eryngii, and Cyclocybe aegerita was slower than that on broad-leaved wood sawdust. By the functional annotation analysis of orthogroups in these five mushroom-forming fungi, it was determined that 645 orthogroups were specifically common in W. hoelen and S. latifolia. The genes in these specific orthogroups were significantly enriched in 12 pathways, including steroid biosynthesis, biosynthesis of antibiotics, and tyrosine metabolism. The high-quality genome and comparative genome analysis results significantly contribute to advancing our foundational knowledge of W. hoelen biology, while also offering valuable insights for the development of innovative biotechnological approaches aimed at enhancing the efficient and sustainable utilization of Pinus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Utilizing conventional wood preservatives poses potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Therefore, the wood protection industry must develop alternatives that are both efficient and environmentally friendly. In this paper, industrial tobacco waste extracts were used as eco-friendly wood preservatives against wood decay fungi. Three major constituents in the extracts were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and included nicotine, neophytadiene, and 2,7,11-cembratriene-4,6-diol. The antifungal activities of waste tobacco extracts and these three major constituents against wood decay fungi were tested. At a concentration of 40 mg/mL, the tobacco waste extract treated with 50% ethanol significantly inhibited the activity of wood decay fungi. This was because the extract contained nicotine as the primary active component and neophytadiene as a synergistic active component. Wood decay resistance tests were conducted on Pinus yunnanensis and Hevea brasiliensis treated with a 50% ethanol extract of tobacco waste at a concentration of 40 mg/mL. The mass losses of Pinus yunnanensis exposed to G. trabeum and T. versicolor were 4.11% and 5.03%, respectively, while the mass losses in Hevea brasiliensis exposed to G. trabeum and T. versicolor were 7.85% and 9.85%, respectively, which were classified as highly resistant. The acute ecotoxicity of the tobacco waste extract was assessed using a kinetic luminescent bacteria test with Aliivibrio fischeri, which revealed significantly lower acute toxicity than a commercial copper-based wood preservative. This study offers insights into high-value utilization of tobacco waste and advancement of natural wood preservatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large wood is inherently mobile in naturally functioning river corridors, yet river management commonly introduces wood that is anchored to limit hazards. Wood that is periodically mobilized is important for: replacing stationary large wood that performs diverse physical and ecological functions; contributing to the disturbance regime of the river corridor; diversifying wood decay states; dispersing organisms and propagules; providing refugia during floodplain inundation and in mobile‐bed channels; dissipating flow energy; and supplying wood to downstream environments including lakes, coastlines, the open ocean, and the deep sea. We briefly review what is known about large wood mobility in river corridors and suggest priorities for ongoing research and river management, including: structural designs that can pass mobile wood; enhancing piece diversity of introduced wood that is anchored in place; quantifying wood mobilization and transport characteristics in natural and managed river corridors; and enhancing documentation of the benefits of wood mobility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basements are integral to contemporary building design, serving as foundational structures with diverse functions in residential and commercial constructions. The utilization of wood as a natural, economical, and CO2 storage material for basement construction significantly influences the future of construction, necessitating established concepts to guarantee sustainability, and foremost, avoid possible damages induced by moisture intrusion. This paper explores the hygrothermal performance of a wooden basement when subjected to severe indoor and outdoor climates and in the absence of pressuring groundwater. Using both 1D and 2D numerical simulations, this study conducts risk analyses for several cases to evaluate how the wooden basement behaves under critical conditions, such as moisture accumulation in the assembly due to air convection through a gap in the insulation layer, air leakage through the waterproofing membrane, and high-vapor pressure caused by the high moisture load in the indoor space. The thresholds are determined for the initial wood moisture and indoor relative humidity, under which supports are given for the use of wooden elements in the basement structures, exhibiting satisfactory performance and avoiding wood decay in the construction. Additionally, the impact of the waterproofing membrane on avoiding wood decay in the assembly is highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enable the long-term use of existing wooden structures, appropriately evaluating the extent of damage of the biodeterioration of structural performance, including members and joint systems, is necessary. To give one example, accurately estimating the single shear strength performance of nail and screw joints with decay is crucial. Therefore, this study proposes a method to model this by dividing wood into multiple layers with different strength performance, considering the grade of deterioration in a cross-section of decayed wood. The model was used to differentiate the sound layer and three decayed layers (multilayer) according to the extent of the damage. The estimated values, which were produced using the proposed model, were compared to the single shear strength of screw and nail joints with decay using two species of wood, namely Abies sachalinensis (Todomatsu) and Cryptomeria japonica (Sugi). The results point to a good fit between the average value of the experimental results and the estimated values of the proposed model. Compared with the existing (single-layer) model, the proposed model improved the accuracy of estimating the strength of wood undergoing early deterioration and therefore was considered usable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Historical records indicate that Xianyang Ancient Ferry Site, dating back over three millennia to the late Shang Dynasty, has been an important transportation hub in ancient times. The use of combined wooden stakes and stones is a special method for flood control among ancient flood prevention techniques. This research aims to evaluate the current preservation condition of these ancient wooden stakes. The dating of the wooden stakes at the site ranges between 940 ± 30 BP and 320 ± 30 BP. The fiber cross-section and microstructure images of the wooden samples indicate that the wood is attributed to Platycladus orientalis. SEM images indicate decay and deterioration of the wooden samples, with the presence of mold spores within the cavities. XRD, FTIR, and TG/DSC spectra of historical wooden samples collected from the site and fresh Platycladus orientalis wood samples demonstrate a significant decrease of cellulose crystallinity in the historical samples, leading to severe deterioration of the wood at the site. Five dominant mold species were identified, i.e., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium citrinum, Trichoderma, and Phanerochaete chrysosporium, which accelerate the degradation of cellulose and other polysaccharides. This research provides scientific evidence for the selection of reinforcement materials and guides curators and conservators to formulate conservation strategies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood decay fungi alter the abiotic and biotic properties of deadwood, which are important as nurse logs for seedling regeneration. However, the relationship between fungal decay type and seedling performance has not been evaluated experimentally. In this study, we examined the germination, growth, and survival of six arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and six ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree species on three substrates (pine logs with brown and white rot and soil) by conducting seed‐sowing experiments in a mixed forest dominated by Pinus densiflora and Quercus serrata. Analysis using ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer 1 (rDNA ITS1) sequencing revealed that the fungal community was significantly different across three substrates. The richness of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) of AM and ECM fungi was the largest on brown rot logs and soil, respectively. The substrate significantly affected the seedling performance when comparing wood decay types, but these were not consistent across the mycorrhizal status of the seedlings. Nevertheless, seedlings of some AM trees showed better growth and enhanced mycorrhizal colonization on brown rot logs than on white rot logs. The wood decay type influenced fungal communities in the logs and the performance of some seedling species partly by different mycorrhizal colonization rates. However, the effect was seedling species dependent and showed no apparent difference between AM and ECM trees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Unlike 'white rot' (WR) wood‐decomposing fungi that remove lignin to access cellulosic sugars, 'brown rot' (BR) fungi selectively extract sugars and leave lignin behind. The relative frequency and distribution of these fungal types (decay modes) have not been thoroughly assessed at a global scale; thus, the fate of one‐third of Earth's aboveground carbon, wood lignin, remains unclear.Using c. 1.5 million fungal sporocarp and c. 30 million tree records from publicly accessible databases, we mapped and compared decay mode and tree type (conifer vs angiosperm) distributions. Additionally, we mined fungal record metadata to assess substrate specificity per decay mode.The global average for BR fungi proportion (BR/(BR + WR records)) was 13% and geographic variation was positively correlated (R2 = 0.45) with conifer trees proportion (conifer/(conifer + angiosperm records)). Most BR species (61%) were conifer, rather than angiosperm (22%), specialists. The reverse was true for WR (conifer: 19%; angiosperm: 62%). Global BR proportion patterns were predicted with greater accuracy using the relative distributions of individual tree species (R2 = 0.82), rather than tree type.Fungal decay mode distributions can be explained by tree type and, more importantly, tree species distributions, which our data suggest is due to strong substrate specificities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood‐decay fungi are major contributors to damage wood and logs, resulting in substantial economic losses. This study assessed the decay caused by Trametes flavida and Daldinia eschscholtzii on Gmelina arborea, Samanea saman, Albizia lebbeck, Acacia auriculiformis and Swietenia mahagoni. Both fungi demonstrated their ability to decay wood. However, the extent of damage varied significantly among the tested hardwood species. Findings showed that Trametes flavida caused greater wood mass and density loss than Daldinia eschscholtzii. Among the tested hardwood species, G. arborea was found to be more susceptible to the decay fungi, followed by S. saman, A. lebbeck, A. auriculiformis and S. mahagoni, respectively. The study will encourage the scientific management of timber and logs in sawmill depots to minimize the decay of wood and incurred economic loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown-rot fungus is one of the important medicinal mushrooms, which include some species within the genus Fomitopsis. This study identified wild macrofungi collected from a broad-leaved tree in Liaoning Province as Fomitopsis palustris using both morphological and molecular methods. To elucidate the potential medicinal and economic value of F. palustris, we conducted single-factor and orthogonal tests to optimize its mycelium culture conditions. Subsequently, we completed liquid culture and domestic cultivation based on these findings. Furthermore, crude polysaccharides were extracted from the cultivated fruiting bodies of F. palustris and their antioxidant activity was evaluated using chemical methods and cell-based models. The results showed that the optimal culture conditions for F. palustris mycelium were glucose as the carbon source, yeast extract powder as the nitrogen source, pH 6.0, and a temperature of 35 °C. Moreover, temperature was found to have the most significant impact on mycelial growth. The liquid strains were fermented for 6 days and then inoculated into a cultivation substrate composed of broadleaf sawdust, resulting in mature fruiting bodies in approximately 60 days. The crude polysaccharides extracted from the cultivated fruiting bodies of F. palustris (FPPs) possess in vitro scavenging abilities against DPPH radicals and OH radicals, as well as a certain ferric-reducing antioxidant power. Additionally, FPPs effectively mitigated H2O2-induced oxidative stress in RAW264.7cells by enhancing the intracellular activity of antioxidant enzymes such as SOD and CAT, scavenging excess ROS, and reducing MDA levels. This study provides preliminarily evidence of the potential medicinal and economic value of F. palustris and offers initial data for the future development and utilization of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-temperature vapour-phase acetylation (HTVPA) is a simultaneous acetylation and heat treatment process for wood modification. This study was the first investigation into the impact of HTVPA treatment on the resistance of wood to biological degradation. In the termite resistance test, untreated wood exhibited a mass loss (MLt) of 20.3%, while HTVPA-modified wood showed a reduced MLt of 6.6–3.2%, which decreased with an increase in weight percent gain (WPG), and the termite mortality reached 95–100%. Furthermore, after a 12-week decay resistance test against brown-rot fungi (Laetiporus sulfureus and Fomitopsis pinicola), untreated wood exhibited mass loss (MLd) values of 39.6% and 54.5%, respectively, while HTVPA-modified wood exhibited MLd values of 0.2–0.9% and −0.2–0.3%, respectively, with no significant influence from WPG. Similar results were observed in decay resistance tests against white-rot fungi (Lenzites betulina and Trametes versicolor). The results of this study demonstrated that HTVPA treatment not only effectively enhanced the decay resistance of wood but also offered superior enhancement relative to separate heat treatment or acetylation processes. In addition, all the HTVPA-modified wood specimens prepared in this study met the requirements of the CNS 6717 wood preservative standard, with an MLd of less than 3% for decay-resistant materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a detailed investigation of archaeological wood samples from the Luoyang Canal No. 1 site, focusing on wood species identification, physical properties, mechanical property analyses, and morphological examination. The identified wood species, belonging to the Ulmus genus, exhibited a 43% decline in compressive strength in waterlogged environments. Further, the wood exhibited increased moisture content, higher porosity, reduced basic density, and elevated shrinkage rates, indicating a mild level of degradation. X-ray diffraction was employed for the observation of cellulose structure, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) demonstrated significant removal of cellulose and hemicellulose components. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding wood degradation mechanisms to evaluate structural integrity and durability in guiding the development of effective preservation strategies for archaeological wood artifacts. Continued research and conservation are crucial to deepen our knowledge of wood deterioration processes and enhance the implementation of preservation techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological durability of ten wood species was determined on the basis of results from laboratory agar block tests. The experiment utilised two specimen formats: standard EN 113-2 specimens (15 × 25 × 50 mm) and mini-blocks (5 × 10 × 30 mm) exposed to two fungi (Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor) for varying incubation periods. Mini-block tests yield dissimilar outcomes compared to the European standard test at six, eight, ten or 16 weeks of incubation. This discrepancy extended to both durability classifications based on median percentage mass loss and those based on relative mass loss (x-values). It was therefore concluded that laboratory tests with miniaturised specimens are not advisable as a substitute for conventional durability classification assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between physicochemical structure and micromechanical properties of archaeological wood is not understand. For this purpose, the study took the archaeological wood from the Shahe Ancient Bridge site as an example. The physical properties, microstructure, chemical composition, and micromechanics of archaeological wood were evaluated using non-destructive and micro-destructive techniques. The results indicated that the deterioration of Phoebe sp. wood was more severe than that of Abies sp. wood. However, the basic density of Phoebe sp. wood was higher than that of the control sample due to the collapse of cell walls. The cell walls exhibited a variety of destructional forms, such as cavities and collapses, caused by decay fungi and erosion bacteria. The cell cavities and cell walls deposited inorganic substances. Furthermore, hemicellulose and amorphous cellulose were preferentially degraded before crystalline cellulose was degraded, and S-type lignin was more prone to degradation compared to G-type lignin. Due to the changes of cell wall structure, the hardness of the cell walls increased while the elastic modulus of the cell wall decreased significantly. This study may provide a reference for the study of the relationship between cell wall structure and micromechanics of archaeological wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saprotrophic fungi, key players in global carbon cycling, have been identified as methane (CH4) sources not yet accounted for in the global CH4 budget. This study, for the first time, explores the influence of oxygen (O2) and temperature on CH4 production by two fungi, Laetiporus sulphureus and Pleurotus sapidus. To explore the relationship between these parameters and fungal CH4 formation, we examined CH4 formation under varying O2 levels (0 to 98%) and temperatures (17, 27, and 40 °C) during fungal growth on pine wood, beech wood, and grass under sterile conditions. Our findings show that fungal CH4 formation strongly depends on O2 levels. Methane formation was highest when O2 levels exceeded 5%, whilst no CH4 formation was observed after complete O2 consumption. Reintroducing O2 immediately resumed fungal CH4 production. Methane formation normalized to O2 consumption (CH4_norm) showed a different pattern. L. sulphureus showed higher CH4_norm rates with higher O2 levels, whereas P. sapidus showed elevated rates between 0 and 5%. Temperature also significantly influenced CH4 and CH4_norm rates, with the highest production at 27 °C, and comparatively lower rates at 17 and 40 °C. These findings demonstrate the importance of O2 levels and temperature in fungal CH4 emissions, which are essential for refining CH4 source predictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saprotrophic fungi, key players in global carbon cycling, have been identified as methane (CH4) sources not yet accounted for in the global CH4 budget. This study, for the first time, explores the influence of oxygen (O2) and temperature on CH4 production by two fungi, Laetiporus sulphureus and Pleurotus sapidus. To explore the relationship between these parameters and fungal CH4 formation, we examined CH4 formation under varying O2 levels (0 to 98%) and temperatures (17, 27, and 40 °C) during fungal growth on pine wood, beech wood, and grass under sterile conditions. Our findings show that fungal CH4 formation strongly depends on O2 levels. Methane formation was highest when O2 levels exceeded 5%, whilst no CH4 formation was observed after complete O2 consumption. Reintroducing O2 immediately resumed fungal CH4 production. Methane formation normalized to O2 consumption (CH4_norm) showed a different pattern. L. sulphureus showed higher CH4_norm rates with higher O2 levels, whereas P. sapidus showed elevated rates between 0 and 5%. Temperature also significantly influenced CH4 and CH4_norm rates, with the highest production at 27 °C, and comparatively lower rates at 17 and 40 °C. These findings demonstrate the importance of O2 levels and temperature in fungal CH4 emissions, which are essential for refining CH4 source predictions.

Brown-rot fungi lack many enzymes associated with complete wood degradation, such as lignin-attacking peroxidases, and have developed alternative mechanisms for rapid wood breakdown. To identify the effects of culture conditions and wood substrates on gene expression, we grew Fibroporia radiculosa in submerged cultures containing Wiley milled wood (5 days) and solid wood wafers (30 days), using aspen, pine, and spruce as a substrate. The comparative analysis revealed that wood species had a limited effect on the transcriptome:

Old Corrugated Container (OCC) pulping wastewater has a complex organic composition and high levels of biotoxicity. The presence of dissolved and colloidal substances (DCSs) is a major limiting factor for pulp and paper companies to achieve closed-water recycling. In order to solve this problem, the coupled ozone-catalyzed oxidation and biodegradation (OCB) method was used to treat OCC pulping wastewater in this study. A polyurethane sponge was used as the basic skeleton, loaded with nano TiO2 and microorganisms, respectively, and then put into a reactor. After an 8-min ozone-catalyzed oxidation reaction, a 10-h biological reaction was carried out. The process was effective in removing organic pollutants such as COD and BOD5 from OCC paper whitewater. The removal rates of COD and BOD5 were 81.5% and 85.1%, respectively. By using the polyurethane sponge to construct a microenvironment suitable for microbial growth and metabolism, this study successfully applied and optimized engineered bacteria—white rut fungi (WRF)—in the system to achieve practical degradation of OCC pulping wastewater. Meanwhile, the biocompatibility of different microbial communities on the polyurethane sponge was analyzed by examining the degradation performance of OCC pulping wastewater. The structure of microbial communities loaded on the polyurethane sponge was analyzed to understand the degradation mechanism and microbial reaction behavior. White-rot fungi (Phanerochaete) contributed more to the degradation of OCC wastewater, and new strains adapted to OCC wastewater degradation were generated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decaying wood, while an abundant and stable resource, presents considerable nutritional challenges due to its structural rigidity, chemical recalcitrance, and low nitrogen content. Despite these challenges, certain insect lineages have successfully evolved saproxylophagy (consuming and deriving sustenance from decaying wood), impacting nutrient recycling in ecosystems and carbon sequestration dynamics. This study explores the uneven phylogenetic distribution of saproxylophagy across insects and delves into the evolutionary origins of this trait in disparate insect orders. Employing a comprehensive analysis of gut microbiome data, from both saproxylophagous insects and their non‐saproxylophagous relatives, including new data from unexplored wood‐feeding insects, this Hypothesis paper discusses the broader phylogenetic context and potential adaptations necessary for this dietary specialization. The study proposes the "Detritivore‐First Hypothesis," suggesting an evolutionary pathway to saproxylophagy through detritivory, and highlights the critical role of symbiotic gut microbiomes in the digestion of decaying wood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is increasing concern into the decline of insect populations, with corresponding calls for conservation action aimed towards threatened species in particular. However, there is a distinct paucity of knowledge surrounding habitat requirements, microhabitat selection and conservation actions that may be undertaken for the vast majority of invertebrate species.Carabus intricatus (Coleoptera: Carabidae) Linnaeus, 1761 is a threatened ancient woodland specialist in the United Kingdom with a highly restricted distribution and is listed as a section 41 species of principal importance in England. Despite this, no empirical systematic evidence exists for even basic habitat requirements.Here, we used a patch‐occupancy modelling framework to determine occupancy and detection parameters for C. intricatus and a sympatric generalist species, C. problematicus, which is a potential competitor.Our models showed that decayed deadwood availability and leaf litter covering (an indicator of the availability of mature broadleaved trees) leads to higher occupancy of C. intricatus, whereas decayed dead wood availability and slug abundance are primary determinants of overall abundance. Additionally, detection models showed that higher humidity substantially increased activity of C. intricatus.For C. problematicus, ground moss coverage and overall deadwood volume most strongly influenced occupancy and abundance, whereas there were no humidity related influences on activity.The results support our general predictions about the specialist–generalist nature of the two species in the United Kingdom and indicate that key characteristics of old‐growth temperate rain forests, particularly the availability of deadwood and high humidity, are central to the conservation of these charismatic carabids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wooden Cultural Heritage (WCH) represents a significant portion of the world's historical and artistic heritage, consisting of immovable and movable artefacts. Despite the expertise developed since ancient times to enhance its durability, wooden artefacts are inevitably prone to degradation. Fungi play a pivotal role in the deterioration of WCH in terrestrial ecosystems, accelerating its decay and leading to alterations in color and strength. Reviewing the literature of the last 25 years, we aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of fungal diversity affecting WCH, the biochemical processes involved in wood decay, and the diagnostic tools available for fungal identification and damage evaluation. Climatic conditions influence the occurrence of fungal species in threatened WCH, characterized by a prevalence of wood-rot fungi (e.g., Serpula lacrymans, Coniophora puteana) in architectural heritage in temperate and continental climates and Ascomycota in indoor and harsh environments. More efforts are needed to address the knowledge fragmentation concerning biodiversity, the biology of the fungi involved, and succession in the degradative process, which is frequently centered solely on the main actors. Multidisciplinary collaboration among engineers, restorers, and life sciences scientists is vital for tackling the challenges posed by climate change with increased awareness. Traditional microbiology and culture collections are fundamental in laying solid foundations for a more comprehensive interpretation of big data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two ancient wooden vessels, specifically a monoxyle (1st century BCE to 1st century CE) and shipwreck (15th to 17th century CE), were excavated in a well-preserved state east of the confluence of the old Mlava and the Danube rivers (Serbia). The vessels were found in the ground that used to be river sediment and were temporarily stored within the semi-underground exhibition space of Mammoth Park. As part of the pre-conservation investigations, the primary aim of the research presented was to characterize the culturable mycobiomes of two excavated wooden artifacts so that appropriate conservation procedures for alleviating post-excavation fungal infestation could be formulated. Utilizing culture-based methods, a total of 32 fungi from 15 genera were identified, mainly Ascomycota and to a lesser extent Mucoromycota sensu stricto. Soft-rot Ascomycota of genus Penicillium, followed by Aspergillus and Cephalotrichum species, were the most diverse of the isolated fungi. Out of a total of 38 isolates, screened on 7 biodegradation plate assays, 32 (84.21%) demonstrated at least one degradative property. Penicillium solitum had the highest deterioration potential, with a positive reaction in 5 separate plate assays. The obtained results further broaden the limited knowledge on the peculiarities of post-excavation soft-rot decay of archaeological wood and indicate the biochemical mechanisms at the root of post-excavation fungal deterioration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimony selenide (Sb 2 Se 3) is considered an ideal anode material candidate for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) due to its abundant resources, low bandgap, and high theoretical capacity. However, the big volume changes, poor structural stability, and slow dynamics have led to rapid capacity decay and severely limited its application in large-scale energy storage. To resolve these problems, we designed a rod-shaped Sb 2 Se 3 composite material coated with Co and Sb bimetallic selenides using a one-pot hydrothermal method (CoSb 2 Se 4 @Sb 2 Se 3) to activate the redox reaction of SIBs anode. The presence of a suitable Co content coating layer (2CSS) enables Sb 2 Se 3 to adapt to volume expansion during cycling, thereby improving structural and cycling stability. After 160 cycles under 1 A g−1 conditions, the capacity retention rate is 81.4%. 2CSS also exhibits rapid ion diffusion ability and efficient Na+ storage capacity, which is beneficial for improving rate performance. Even at 10 A g−1, it can provide a reversible discharge capacity of 222.2 mAh g−1. A series of electrochemical performance tests strongly demonstrate that coatings can better utilize the capacity advantage of alloy electrodes to improve electrochemical performance. This work provides an effective strategy for constructing high-performance cathode materials for SIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review focuses on the pivotal role microscopy has played in diagnosing the type(s) of microbial attacks present in waterlogged ancient wooden objects, and to understand the nature and extent of deterioration of such objects. The microscopic journey began with the application of light microscopy (LM) to examine the deterioration of waterlogged woods, notably foundation piles supporting historic buildings, progressing into the use of high-resolution imaging tools (SEM and TEM) and techniques. Although bacteria were implicated in the deterioration of foundation piles, confirmation that bacteria can indeed degrade wood in its native state came when decaying wood from natural environments was examined using electron microscopy, particularly TEM, which enabled bacterial association with cell wall regions undergoing degradation to be clearly resolved. The information base has been a catalyst, stimulating numerous studies in the past three decades or so to understand the nature of microbial degradation of waterlogged archaeological wood more precisely, combining LM, SEM, and TEM with high-resolution chemical analytical methods, including chemical microscopy. The emerging information is aiding targeted developments towards a more effective conservation of ancient wooden objects as they begin to be uncovered from burial and waterlogging environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood-decaying fungi are important study subjects for their ecological role as well as for their biotechnological applications. They break down lignin, cellulose, and hemicelluloses using enzymes that modify the chemical structure of these complex macromolecules. Due to their ability to degrade wood, these fungi can create structural damage to wooden structures and to trees, especially those with very low level of fitness. Previous studies on wood decay fungi in the Maltese Islands are limited to records and checklists described by a handful of authors. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive description of wood decay fungal diversity in the Maltese Islands including an updated checklist based on DNA barcoding, as well as to establish the first wood-decay fungal culture collection at the Biology Department Seed Bank of the University of Malta. Several surveys were carried out during the rainy season along wooded areas of the Maltese Islands as well as in historical gardens. Isolates were identified using macro- and micro-morphological features, dichotomous keys, as well as molecular data. Basidiomes were recorded growing on 14 different host plant species, 11 axenic cultures have been made and 9 species of wood decay fungi have been conclusively identified by DNA barcoding. The collection of the axenic isolates includes one of Aurificaria cf. euphoria, three of Ganoderma resinaceum sl., two of Laetiporus sulphureus, one of Inonotus sp., one of Inonotus rickii anamorph, one of Inocutis tamaricis, one of Stereum hirsutum, and one of Pleurotus eryngii. However, the mycelium of Coriolopsis gallica, though collected and identified, could not be isolated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Forest plantations can be established in order to restore degraded areas. Acoustic tomography, which is of increasing importance in forest management, was used in the present study to obtain information for managing plantations of Cedrelinga cateniformis Ducke in the Peruvian Amazon. The species is valuable in the timber sector of Peru, but the core wood tends to deteriorate and develop cavities. The main objective of the study was to model wood deterioration in Cedrelinga cateniformis Ducke using the data obtained through acoustic tomography. Eight plantations of varying ages were analyzed using acoustic tomography in order to obtain indicators of wood deterioration. Biometric, climatic, and edaphic data (explanatory variables) were also measured in each plantation. The indicator variables and explanatory variables were compared and evaluated using correlation and principal component analysis. Wood deterioration was modelled using stepwise regression. The indicator variables differed significantly between plantations and were mainly correlated with the biometric variables (age and diameter at breast height). The models explained 81% of the variability of pith rot. The percentage rotten area was minimal in young plantations (1%), and the opposite was observed in mature trees (21.5 to 25.6%). The study findings provide valuable information, enabling foresters to determine the optimal age and diameter for felling Cedrelinga cateniformis in plantations in the Peruvian Amazon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant biomass conversion by saprotrophic fungi plays a pivotal role in terrestrial carbon (C) cycling. The general consensus is that fungi metabolize carbohydrates, while lignin is only degraded and mineralized to CO2. Recent research, however, demonstrated fungal conversion of 13C-monoaromatic compounds into proteinogenic amino acids. To unambiguously prove that polymeric lignin is not merely degraded, but also metabolized, carefully isolated 13C-labeled lignin served as substrate for Agaricus bisporus, the world's most consumed mushroom. The fungus formed a dense mycelial network, secreted lignin-active enzymes, depolymerized, and removed lignin. With a lignin carbon use efficiency of 0.14 (g/g) and fungal biomass enrichment in 13C, we demonstrate that A. bisporus assimilated and further metabolized lignin when offered as C-source. Amino acids were high in 13C-enrichment, while fungal-derived carbohydrates, fatty acids, and ergosterol showed traces of 13C. These results hint at lignin conversion via aromatic ring-cleaved intermediates to central metabolites, underlining lignin's metabolic value for fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wood-rotting fungi are organisms that can decompose wood substrates and extract nutrients from them to support their growth. They play a crucial role in the material cycle of forest ecosystems. The genus Pluteus plays a significant role in wood decomposition. In this study, the morphology and molecular systematics of the sect. Celluloderma of the genus Pluteus were carried out. Pluteus brunneodiscus was identified as a new species, along with the discovery of two new records, P. cystidiosus and P. chrysophlebius, and a common species, P. romellii. Pluteus brunneodiscus is characterized by the brown center of the pileus that transitions to white towards the margins, with the surface cracking to form irregular granules. It is typically found in Populus forests growing on decomposing twigs or wood chips. Line drawings, color photographs, and phylogenetic analyses of related species within the genus Pluteus accompany the descriptions of these four species. The analyses are based on ITS + TEF1-α sequence data. Finally, a key for the twenty species within the sect. Celluloderma of the genus Pluteus, which has been documented in China, is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, the protection of wood is becoming more important with the increasing demand for durable wood, in addition to its limited accessibility. One possible way to increase the durability is the use of nanoparticles, which can be effective even with a low intake of active ingredients. However, avoiding their leaching is a challenge. A possible solution to leaching is the use of silica aerogel as a fixative. This study investigated the use of mesoporous silica aerogel against the leaching of different nanoparticles under laboratory conditions. Tests were performed involving beech (Fagus sylvatica) and Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) sapwood, using Trametes versicolor as a white rot and Coniophora puteana as a brown rot fungus. The results show that the subsequent treatment of the wood with mesoporous silica aerogel effectively fixed the nanoparticles in wood. The durability of the samples without aerogel significantly decreased as a result of leaching, whereas the resistance of the samples treated with aerogel decreased only slightly. However, the silica aerogel modification itself caused the leaching of silver nanoparticles, which is a limitation in the use of this method for the fixation of nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]