The Myxobiota of the Łagiewnicki Forest in Łódź (Central Poland)

Herein, the results of studies conducted in the Łagiewnicki Forest in the city of Łódź (central Poland) in 2010–2012 are presented. These were the first long-term observations into myxomycetes in the Łagiewnicki Forest and in central Poland. Investigations were conducted using the route method for the entire forest complex (2010–2012). Additionally, twelve logs were selected in the “Las Łagiewnicki” forest reserve for detailed observations in 2011–2012; these logs belonged to four tree species: Betula pendula Roth, Carpinus betulus L., Quercus sp., and Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. In total, 1,561 specimens were collected and were classified into 96 taxa (91 species and five varieties). Three species ( Diderma saundersii , Oligonema flavidum , and Didymium eximium ) are new to the biota of Poland, while five ( Arcyria stipata , Hemitrichia calyculata , Oligonema schweinitzii , Physarum flavicomum , and Physarum robustum ) are included on the red list of rare myxomycetes in Poland. Stemonitopsis amoena is also classified as a rare species; to date, this species has been reported in one locality in Poland. The scale by Stephenson et al. was used to determine the frequency of occurrence of individual taxa; 55 taxa were classified as rare, nine as sporadic, 26 as common, and six as abundant taxa. Three ecological groups of slime molds were identified based on the type of substrate they colonized: lignicolous (54 taxa), foliicolous (seven taxa), and corticolous (two taxa). No preference for the substrate was noticed in a group of 33 taxa that occurred on different substrate types. The phenology of myxomycete occurrence was also analyzed; 49 taxa occurred throughout the entire vegetative season, while only single records of species that were found in specific months were noted. The biota collected in the “Las Łagiewnicki” forest reserve and that in a Łagiewnicki Forest segment outside it (of the same size and the same occurrence of plant communities as in the reserve) in 2011–2012 were also compared.

Contemporary State of Preservation of the Lichen Biota in the Eastern Part of the “Paprocie Serpentynitowe w Masywie Ślęży” Ecological Area

The purpose of this study was to assess the contemporary conditions of the lichen biota in the eastern part of the “Paprocie Serpentynitowe w Masywie Ślęży” ecological area in the Sudetes Foothills. The studies were carried out at three localities selected from 10 sites that were designed to protect the Asplenium fern genus. A total of 47 lichen species were found in the three localities. For each of the recorded species, the state of preservation in the Ślęża Massif area was assessed according to three factors: frequency at all three localities, general viability of the thalli, and stability in occurrence on the habitat. Stability was defined based on contemporary and historical data. From the analysis, most of the species (17) were classified as taxa with “moderate preservation status” in the study area. However, the preservation status of the 18 newly recorded taxa was defined as “insufficient data” due to the lack of previous records. Other species received a “very good preservation status” (three taxa) and “good preservation status” (nine taxa). The analyses allowed us to document the current number of taxa, determine their health condition, and indicate trends in the transformation within the lichen biota of the serpentinite rocks in the study area. Moreover, some actions were proposed to actively protect the valuable lichens in the ecological area of “Paprocie Serpentynitowe w Masywie Ślęży.”

Contribution to the Knowledge of Fungi of the Kampinos National Park (Central Poland): Part 4 – With Particular Emphasis on the Species Occurring on Windthrown Trees

This paper presents 18 species of fungi that are new to the Kampinos National Park and their buffer zone. Seventeen of these species were found during studies on wind-damaged areas after the forest was damaged in 2017. One species new to Poland has been described and illustrated ( Odonticium septocystidiatum ). A few of the species recorded ( Ciliolarina cfr. laricina , Daldinia petriniae , Pseudovalsa umbonata , Spongipellis litschaueri ) are very rare in Poland and hitherto mentioned from single localities in the country. Two species from the Polish red list of macrofungi were recorded in the Kampinos National Park for the first time – namely, Punctularia strigosozonata (E) and Trichaptum biforme (R). The current number of macromycete taxa known from Kampinos National Park has reached a total of 1,630.

The Medicinal Wood-Decay Species Laricifomes officinalis in the Alpe Veglia–Alpe Devero Natural Park (Italian Alps): Spatial Analysis and Growth Tests of Pure Cultures

Laricifomes officinalis is a wood-decay fungus that is closely associated with old individuals of Larix decidua . In the twentieth century, L. officinalis was over-harvested because of its medicinal properties; consequently, it has become very rare or almost extinct in the Alps. In this study, we investigated the population of L. officinalis in the Alpe Veglia–Alpe Devero Natural Park (Val d’Ossola, Italy) to assess a preliminary conservation strategy. Population consistency was estimated using field mapping, and spatial analysis was performed on host trees based on topographical and environmental variables. Mycelia were isolated from harvested basidiomata, and strain identity confirmed by molecular analysis of the ITS region. All isolated strains were tested for growth in Petri dishes containing different standard media to determine which strains had the highest growth rates; the fastest growing strains may be selected for future studies and applications. Compared to the control strains from Val Malenco and Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso, all strains from Alpe Veglia–Alpe Devero Natural Park had lower growth rates. There was no significant difference between the growth rates of strains from Alpe Veglia and those from Alpe Devero. The results suggest that the population consistency of L. officinalis in the Alpe Veglia–Alpe Devero Natural Park is related to two main factors: habitat preservation and harvesting prohibition. These results confirm the need to protect L. officinalis both inside and outside natural reserves, despite the apparent increase in local populations.

Pruning Wastes From Fruit Trees as a Substrate for Pleurotus ostreatus

Plant material obtained by pruning and production of deciduous fruit trees was evaluated as substrates for the production of the oyster mushroom, Pleurotus ostreatus . Lignified branches and stems from peach, apple, and pear trees were processed using a ripping machine to reduce the size of chips and to optimize disinfection. A completely randomized experimental design was proposed with six treatments (novel substrates) and one absolute control (100% hay substrate). Morphological variables such as thickness and diameter of the pileus, stipe length were assessed, as well as production variables (sprouting, fresh weight, and biological efficiency) and bromatological analysis (ash, ethereal extract, crude fiber, and crude protein). Apart from the 100%-hay substrate, biological efficiency ranged between 27% (100% apple tree as the substrate) and 140% (50% hay + 50% peach tree as the substrate). According to morphological analysis, the highest diameters were recorded from mixed substrates (50% hay + 50% wood), and a highly significant positive correlation was found between diameter and stipe length. Morphological parameters were not significantly correlated with biological efficiency. Analysis of biological efficiency confirmed that mixed substrates clustered together with 100%-wood substrates. Bromatological analysis showed that the mixed substrate (50% hay + 50% pear tree) had the highest protein content among the novel tested substrates. Bromatological parameters were not significantly correlated with biological efficiency. In conclusion, pruning residues from fruit trees can be valuable by using them as substrates for the cultivation of P. ostreatus . Production is quantitatively competitive with that using hay, on the condition that wood is mixed with hay.

Can Macrofungal Biodiversity Predict Forest Status and Dynamics? A View From South European Mediterranean Forests (Italy)

Fungi are among the most important organisms on earth, and they are essential components of terrestrial ecosystems. Their reproductive structures are strictly dependent and affected by environmental conditions, and community dynamics over time and space may be indirect indicators of the health status of forests. We combined macrofungal biodiversity indices in eight Mediterranean forests in Italy and surveyed 160 plots by standardized surveys, to evaluate the role of macrofungi as early predictors of change in the forest structure. The results show that indices of fungal diversity are influenced by geographic and floristic conditions, and inter- and intra-annual temperature and rainfall fluctuations affect the formation of fungal fruiting bodies. These findings suggest that environmental changes could be reflected by macrofungi, and conservation initiatives should consider the pivotal role that fungi play in biodiversity monitoring.

First Record of Slime Molds in Biebrza National Park (NE Poland)

This paper provides the first recorded data of slime molds in Biebrza National Park (NE Poland). In total, 16 species of myxomycetes belonging to nine genera were observed.

The Third Report of Colletotrichum japonicum Worldwide

This paperreports the first finding of Colletotrichum japonicum (Hemmi) Bedlan on Berberis aquifolium Pursh [= Mahonia aquifolium (Pursh) Nutt.] in Poland. The fungus was collected in the Botanical Garden of Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (UMCS) in Lublin. This is the second locality of the species in Europe and the third worldwide. In this paper, morphological characteristics, microphotographs, and distribution comments are provided.

The Lichen Biota of Pinus sylvestris Under the Impact of Some Stand-Related Factors: A Case Study from the South-Eastern Part of Żerków-Czeszewo Landscape Park (Wielkopolska-Kujawy Lowland)

A lichenological inventory was conducted in the pine stands in the south-eastern region of Żerków-Czeszewo Landscape Park. The aim of this study was to recognize the lichen species diversity on the bark of Pinus sylvestris by considering tree age and forest habitat type. In total, 26 species of lichenized fungi were found on the bark of P. sylvestris . The biota comprises common and widespread species in Poland. Tree age positively and significantly influenced the species richness on the bark of P. sylvestris . The suitability of the pine tree age for lichens evident as alpha diversity seemed to be independent from the habitat of the trees. The age of phorophytes strongly affected the presence of Hypocenomyce scalaris . Mixed fresh coniferous forests were characterized by higher beta- and gamma diversity compared to fresh coniferous forests. There was no correlation between the number of species per tree (alpha diversity) and diversification of species composition in relation to the distance between pines. The findings indicate that maintenance of a variety of phorophytes and age-diversified tree stands can prevent impoverishment of the lichen biota in the south-eastern part of Żerków-Czeszewo Landscape Park.