Document Type
Honors Thesis
Major
Ecology and Environmental Science
Advisor(s)
Peter Avis
Committee Members
Shawn Fraver, Erin Grey, Sharon Tisher, Ivan Fernandez
Graduation Year
August 2022
Publication Date
Fall 8-2022
Abstract
The decomposition of wood is driven by a combination of abiotic and biotic factors, the most influential of them all are fungi. These decomposer fungi use the wood for food, digesting woody material to absorb nutrients and release carbon dioxide. Fungi are the primary drivers of decomposition in most terrestrial ecosystems; thus, the rate and degree of decomposition are greatly dependent on the community of fungi found on woody debris. However, little is known about which fungi decompose woody debris most efficiently. This study aims to investigate the decomposer fungi in the Bear Brook Watershed via molecular techniques and quantify their rates of decomposition to understand which fungi are the most effective decomposers.
Recommended Citation
Daub, Elyse, "Linkind Deadwood Inhabiting Fungi to Carbon Dioxide Flux of Decomposing Coarse Woody Debris" (2022). Honors College. 769.
https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/honors/769