Exercise # 1 HABITATS OF FUNGI

Introduction Fungi are a group of beneficial and harmful heterotrophic organisms that consume dead organic materials. They are a vital component of nutrient cycling due to their essential role in the decomposition process. Their existence is influenced by two important factors, the host and the environment. Fungi are very dependent to their host, oftentimes referred as substrate, for nutrition and habitat itself as influenced by its parasitic nature. Accordingly, they can grow in many substrates provided that their survival requirements are present. In the forest, they can be found on soil, roots, stems, fallen braches, leaves and others. In this exercise, a field examination was done to account for the various substrate where fungi are present.

Objectives: 1. To identify the different substrate where fungi are grown 2. To describe the fungi based on their macro morphological characteristics.

Materials and Methods a. b. c. d. Notes Pen Knife & trowel Ruler

1. A close examination of the different substrates in the forest floor using trowel was done. We Take note of the fungi growing in the different substrate. 2. We examined also some trees with fungi growing on the roots and stem 3. We counted how many different fungi are growing in each substrate 4. Results and observations were tabulated Results and discussion

Table: Image substrate Physical characteristics (color,odor,number, shape, size)

Large-brownish basidiomycete fruiting structure attached singly to the stump of molave.

Wood (vitex parviflora), with mark presence of soil particles.

Wood(dry-fallen branch)

Small brown and white colored fruiting body. The pileus is brownish To white with gills upperneath the cap. There are approximately 15-20 fruiting strucutures on the substrate.

Wood (small branch)

Relatively small fungal fruting body. The cap is brownish to white ,eccentric shape, approximately as large as a peso coin. The fungus emits unusual smell.

On trunk of mahogany ( Swietenia macrophyla)

Brownish, tough fruiting body growing on trink of Mahogany. Its underneath surface is partially exposed to the soil.

On banuyo tree ( few in inches away from soil surface)

The fruiting white to dusty colored fungal fruiting body has an edge length of about 11.5 ft tapering towards its basal attachment to the tree. It is attached at ht eroot collar portion aith some accumulated soil particles,

On soil

White filamentous structure on fungi growing on a relatively wet soil observed to contain organic matter.

Growing on partially decayed leaf forest liiter(narra) on the soil

With White colored hyphal mass attached to leaf stalk and blade that are in contact with the soil.

growing on rotting leaf litter in wet forest soil

. Fruiting body in form of a slightly hairy, black, wiry stem to 3-15 mm high, 1-2 mm diameter. Widens out slightly at top to a slim, greyish-white spore-producing zone 1-3 cm long, often rounding off as a slightly widened club

On soil( seedlings)

Potted

nursery

Small, succulent fungal fruiting body growing on soil of potted seedlings in a nursery. The stalk is long and thin and is white. The coneshaped cap is relatively light brown in color and has no ununsual smell.

This knowledge derived on this field exercise is important in developing appreciation to fungi and its immense diversity in the forest. Specifically, it help the students to learn that wood of dead and live trees can be a substrate, as well as forest litter, fallen braches and soil. As observed, fungi thrive most on areas where moisture and shade is present. Presence of fungal fruiting body increased as we traversed from drier to wetter forest. The exercise hinted us on where fungi can be found present. Ecologically, fungi are part of the ecosystem located at bottom of the food chain. the presence of fungi on various biodegradable substrates shows its value and versatile role as a pathogen and a decomposer. The latter help us understood its importance in nutrient cycling by its ability decompose almost any form of its substrate organic material. The former help us understand that this organisms can affect forest health invading trees, can be present in the soil which may affect seeds and seedlings. Their presence is simple, they are harmful /pathogenic or parasitic if they are attached to living parts of plants, if attached on dead parts like fallen leaves and branches, and they are beneficial in decomposition.

By: Joseph C. Paquit FBS 140-Forest Mycology Lab Instructor: For. Jessa Ata