Hormonema macrosporum

Progression of saproxylic fungal communities in fine woody debris in boreal forests of Oulanka, Finland, assessed by DNA metabarcoding

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Researchers used a novel method called MycoPins to study how fungi colonize and break down small pieces of dead wood in Finnish boreal forests. By placing sterilized wooden pins in the soil and analyzing the fungal DNA that colonized them over a year, they identified over 200 fungal species that play important roles in wood decomposition and nutrient cycling. The study compared how fungal communities differed in forests exposed to reindeer grazing versus protected areas, revealing how land management practices influence these hidden fungal ecosystems.

Progression of saproxylic fungal communities in fine woody debris in boreal forests of Oulanka, Finland, assessed by DNA metabarcoding

mycolabadmin

Researchers used a novel method called MycoPins—sterilized wooden pins buried in forest soil—combined with DNA analysis to identify and track fungal communities decomposing dead wood in Finnish boreal forests. Over one year, they found 215 fungal species colonizing these pins across three different forest types. Notably, 41 of these species had never been recorded in the region before, showing that DNA-based methods can reveal fungal diversity that traditional observation methods miss.

Fungal Species: Hormonema macrosporum

Progression of saproxylic fungal communities in fine woody debris in boreal forests of Oulanka, Finland, assessed by DNA metabarcoding

Progression of saproxylic fungal communities in fine woody debris in boreal forests of Oulanka, Finland, assessed by DNA metabarcoding