If you've wandered through a forest, you've probably dodged dead, rotting branches or stumps scattered on the ground. This is "deadwood," and it plays several vital roles in forest ecosystems. It ...

Orchid seeds are as small as dust and do not provide any nutrients for the young plant to grow. The adult plants are known to rely on a certain type of fungi that develop structures within the plant's ...

As the planet warms, termites will likely play an increasingly important role in wood decomposition, researchers report, which will likely have important consequences for global carbon cycling in the ...

When you see mushrooms or other fungi growing out of the trunk of a tree, pay attention. It’s a sign that the wood inside the tree is decaying. “It’s something you want to have a professional look at ...

Decay is a complex process in which organisms use a repertoire of enzymes to slowly exploit and ultimately digest their hosts. Fungi are master decayers of dead plant matter, including wood. So-called ...

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