FungiThere are about 100,000 types of fungi that have been identified in the world however not all of these do the type of decomposing job that we are interested in finding out about.
Click on the button to find out more about decomposing fungi. You might like to have a look on Google images for some examples of microscopic fungi for your poster. |
Along
with bacteria, fungi are important as decomposers in the soil food web. These
include improved water dynamics, nutrient cycling, and reducing disease. They
convert hard-to-digest organic material into forms that other organisms can
use. Fungal hyphae bind soil particles together which helps water to filter through the soil and also helps the soil to hold water.
(Ingham, 2015)
Decomposer fungi change dead organic material into fungal biomass, carbon dioxide (CO2), and small molecules called organic acids. Some fungi are critical for breaking down large pieces of organic matter like trunks of trees. While others work in the soil and with plant roots to help with the exchange of nutrients. Like bacteria, fungi are important for retaining, nutrients in the soil. Fungi leave organic acids in the soil when it consumes decomposing matter and this builds up in the rich humus. This build up is resistant to breaking down and can stay in the soil for hundreds of years making it very valuable for the soil and the plants that grow there (Ingham, 2015).
Here are some questions to think about while you investigate.
How does fungi help to convert organic waste to humus?
How does fungi benefit the soil?
What do they need to survive?
Are there any reasons why fungi might die or not be present?
(Ingham, 2015)
Decomposer fungi change dead organic material into fungal biomass, carbon dioxide (CO2), and small molecules called organic acids. Some fungi are critical for breaking down large pieces of organic matter like trunks of trees. While others work in the soil and with plant roots to help with the exchange of nutrients. Like bacteria, fungi are important for retaining, nutrients in the soil. Fungi leave organic acids in the soil when it consumes decomposing matter and this builds up in the rich humus. This build up is resistant to breaking down and can stay in the soil for hundreds of years making it very valuable for the soil and the plants that grow there (Ingham, 2015).
Here are some questions to think about while you investigate.
How does fungi help to convert organic waste to humus?
How does fungi benefit the soil?
What do they need to survive?
Are there any reasons why fungi might die or not be present?
Header image retrieved from: http://ecowatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/mushroom.jpg