Preface
Every existence ύπαρξη (íparksi) in soil performs a function and is connected to the
other organisms in the ecosystem. However, the functions of the sclerotia, the
glittering black spheres produced as resting bodies by ectomycorrhizal (ECM)
fungi and found in forest soils around the globe, remain poorly known. Why do
they remain there? What can be understood from their existence in heterogeneous
soil ecosystems?
We began our study of fungal sclerotia grains in June 1999, while we were still
studying the green pigment present in soil humic acids, known as HA Pg. As part of
our joint fieldwork (Dr. M. Watanabe, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and
Dr. N. Fujitake, Kobe University), we occasionally found these large, black grains,
6–7 mm in diameter, in volcanic ash soils in Fagus forest in Asadaira, Mt. Myoko,
Central Japan. The area had been found to be a kind of hot spot of HA Pg by the late
Dr. K. Kumada of Nagoya University, who studied fungal sclerotia as the origin of
HA Pg. Our encounters with sclerotia made us realize the potential for interdisciplinary research into the role of sclerotia grains in soil.
How well do we understand the role that fungal sclerotia, so abundant in soil, play
in soil ecosystems? What can sclerotia grains tell us about environmental conditions
in the past, over recent centuries, and up to 10,000 years ago? What can we learn
from natural sclerotia grains to develop mimic techniques? To what extent are
sclerotia grains that are present in soil a concern for soil researchers? We do not
yet have a clear answer on the significance of the presence of sclerotia grains in soil.
There are two potential pathways forward: study of their material properties and
study of their presence in soil across time and space.
The aim of this book was to summarize available data on the anatomy of
melanized fungal sclerotia, represented by Cenococcum geophilum sclerotia found
in forest soils worldwide, and the factors regulating their distribution combined with
perspectives on how to further elucidate their ecological function in soil. This book
comprises results and discussions provided by joint research with soil geographers,
soil organic chemists, soil microbiologists, physiologists, biologists, environmental
vii
Every existence ύπαρξη (íparksi) in soil performs a function and is connected to the
other organisms in the ecosystem. However, the functions of the sclerotia, the
glittering black spheres produced as resting bodies by ectomycorrhizal (ECM)
fungi and found in forest soils around the globe, remain poorly known. Why do
they remain there? What can be understood from their existence in heterogeneous
soil ecosystems?
We began our study of fungal sclerotia grains in June 1999, while we were still
studying the green pigment present in soil humic acids, known as HA Pg. As part of
our joint fieldwork (Dr. M. Watanabe, Tokyo Institute of Technology, and
Dr. N. Fujitake, Kobe University), we occasionally found these large, black grains,
6–7 mm in diameter, in volcanic ash soils in Fagus forest in Asadaira, Mt. Myoko,
Central Japan. The area had been found to be a kind of hot spot of HA Pg by the late
Dr. K. Kumada of Nagoya University, who studied fungal sclerotia as the origin of
HA Pg. Our encounters with sclerotia made us realize the potential for interdisciplinary research into the role of sclerotia grains in soil.
How well do we understand the role that fungal sclerotia, so abundant in soil, play
in soil ecosystems? What can sclerotia grains tell us about environmental conditions
in the past, over recent centuries, and up to 10,000 years ago? What can we learn
from natural sclerotia grains to develop mimic techniques? To what extent are
sclerotia grains that are present in soil a concern for soil researchers? We do not
yet have a clear answer on the significance of the presence of sclerotia grains in soil.
There are two potential pathways forward: study of their material properties and
study of their presence in soil across time and space.
The aim of this book was to summarize available data on the anatomy of
melanized fungal sclerotia, represented by Cenococcum geophilum sclerotia found
in forest soils worldwide, and the factors regulating their distribution combined with
perspectives on how to further elucidate their ecological function in soil. This book
comprises results and discussions provided by joint research with soil geographers,
soil organic chemists, soil microbiologists, physiologists, biologists, environmental
vii