Abstract:

The recent advance of research on fungi in forest ecosystem is reviewed in this paper. It is shown that fungi are important components in forest ecosystem with their roles in establishing plant community, promoting succession of species population, retaining forest ecosystem stability and participating in the flow of energy and nutrition. The early colonization of land by plants was associated with fungi. Evidences have shown that the symbiosis between plants and fungi was established when the terrestrial life started. By co_evolution with plants, fungi are involved in the formation of the complex forest ecosystem. Mycorrhizae have apparently played an important role in the origin of terrestrial plants and they are the key to the development of forest. Mycorrhizal fungi are crucial not only to phosphorus uptake by plants, but also to other mineral nutrition. Decomposition of organic material and weathering of mine by fungi in forest contribute greatly to the biogeochemical and nutrient cycles on earth. Large biomass of fungi in forest forms important C and N sinks. Abundance and diversity of fungi in forest has significant influences on biodiversity and stability of forest community. Loss of fungal diversity may instable the forest ecosystem and, further, aggravate the greenhouse effects of the world. Enforcing research on fungal roles in forest ecology will facilitate conservation and sustainable development of forest and the forest ecological projects in China.

Key words: Fungal biodiversity, Forest ecology, Forest conservation, Mycorrhiza