Record ID No. |
5997 |
Author(s) |
Sridhar K. R. , 2019 |
Affiliation |
Department of Biosciences, Mangalore University, Mangalagangotri, Mangalore 574 199, India. |
Title |
Expedition with micro- and macro-fungi: New perspectives to bridge the gaps. |
Source. Vol.(no):Page |
KAVAKA, 52: 1-19. |
Categories |
Mycorrhiza General |
Subjects |
Biological Interaction Ecology |
Sub-subjects |
Biodiversity |
Host |
NA |
Organism |
NA |
Country |
India |
Abstracts |
Fungi are the most fascinating group of organisms distributed widely in different ecosystems. Strategic geographic location of the Indian
subcontinent is a major hub of fungal resources which offers ample scope for their exploration as well as
pplication. My curiosity in mycology initiated journeying freshwater lotic habitats of the Western Ghats and west coast of India. It was soon ascertained that the freshwater hyphomycetes serve as model group facilitating
assessment of basic concepts of detritus food chain and aquatic
productivity. Second fascinating group attracted my attention was the
marine fungi in various ecosystems of the west coast playing significant role in nutrient turnover. Third striking aspect of my interest was macrofungi of the Western Ghats and west coast. The
basic function and ecosystem services of all these groups is breakdown and transformation of organic matter. The impacts of decomposition is highly valuable in production of precious metabolites, enrichment of organic matter and pull other groups of organisms to drive the energy flow initiated from detritus ecosystem. All these research areas are highly fascinating in the Indian subcontinent owing to diverse habitats, varied environment, wide range of substrates and numerous fungi. Progress towards basic or applied facets of fungal diversity, significance of metabolites and sustainable ecosystem functions
demands collaborative endeavors. Specific strategies and schemes for
prospective harness of fungal ecosystem services in the Indian subcontinent have been discussed in this commentary.
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