Fungi in Biogeochemical Cycles (British Mycological Society Symposia, Series Number 24)

Fungi play important roles in the cycling of elements in the biosphere but are frequently neglected within microbiological and geochemical research spheres. Symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi are responsible for major transformations and redistribution of inorganic nutrients, while free-living fungi have major roles in the decomposition of organic materials, including xenobiotics. Fungi are also major biodeterioration agents of stone, wood, plaster, cement and other building materials, and are important components of rock-inhabiting microbial communities. The aim of this book is to promote further understanding of the key roles that free-living and symbiotic fungi (in mycorrhizas and lichens) play in the biogeochemical cycling of elements, the chemical and biological mechanisms that are involved, and their environmental and biotechnological significance. Where appropriate, relationships with bacteria are also discussed to highlight the dynamic interactions that can exist between these major microbial groups and their integrated function in several kinds of habitat. Geomicrobiology : Relative Roles Of Bacteria And Fungi As Geomicrobial Agents / Henry L. Ehrlich -- Integrated Nutrient Cycles In Boreal Forest Ecosystems : The Role Of Mycorrhizal Fungi / Roger D. Finlay And Anna Rosling -- Fungal Roles In Transport Processes In Soils / Karl Ritz -- Water Dynamics Of Mycorrhizas In Arid Soils / Michael F. Allen -- Integrating Ectomycorrhizal Fungi Into Quantitative Frame Works Of Forest Carbon And Nitrogen Cycling / Erik A. Hobbie And Hdkan Wallander -- Role Of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi In Carbon And Nutrient Cycling In Grassland / David Johnson, Jonathan R. Leake And David J. Read -- The Role Of Wood Decay Fungi In The Carbon Andnitrogen Dynamics Of The Forest Floor / Sarah Watkinson, Dan Bebber, Peter Darrah, Mark Fricker, Monika Tlalka And Lynne Boddy -- Relative Roles Of Bacteria And Fungi In Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Biodegradation And Bioremediation Of Contaminated Soils / Carl E. Cerniglia And John B. Sutherland --^ Biodegradation And Biodeterioration Of Man-made Polymeric Materials / Hristo A. Sabev, Sarah R. Barratt, Malcom Greenhalgh, Pauline S. Handley And Geoffrey D. Robson -- Fungal Dissolution And Transformation Of Minerals : Significance For Nutrient And Metal Mobility / Marina Fomina, Euan P. Burford And Geoffrey M. Gadd -- Fungal Activities In Subaerial Rock-inhabiting Microbial Communities / Anna A. Gorbushina -- The Oxalate-carbonate Pathway In Soil Carbon Storage : The Role Of Fungi And Oxalotrophic Bacteria / Eric P. Verrecchia, Olivier Braissant And Guillaume Cailleau -- Mineral Tunnelling By Fungi / Mark Smits -- Mineral Dissolution By Ectomycorrhizal Fungi / Hakan Wallander -- Lichen Biogeochemistry / Johnson R. Haas And O. William Purvis -- Fungi In Subterranean Environments / Joachim Reitner, Gabriela Schumann And Karsten Pedersen -- The Role Of Fungi In Carbon And Nitrogen Cycles In Freshwater Ecosystems / Vladislav Gulis, Kevin Kuehn And Keller Suberkropp --^ Biogeochemical Roles Of Fungi In Marine And Estuarine Habitats / Nicholas Clipson, Marinus Otte And Eleanor Landy. Edited By Geoffrey Michael Gadd. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This book promotes further understanding of the contribution that fungi make to the biogeochemical cycling of elements, the chemical and biological mechanisms involved, and their environmental and biotechnological significance. This 2006 book promotes further understanding of the contribution that fungi make to the biogeochemical cycling of elements The following definition of geomicrobiology will provide a proper context for the discussion in this essay.