Fungal-Bacterial Diversity in Wood Decomposition
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 September 2025 | Viewed by 23
Special Issue Editor
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Wood decomposition is a fundamental ecological process driven by a complex interplay of fungi and bacteria. These microorganisms break down lignocellulosic materials, recycling nutrients and contributing to carbon cycling in forest ecosystems. Fungi, particularly white-rot and brown-rot species, are defined as primary decomposers due to their ability to secrete extracellular enzymes, such as lignin peroxidase and cellulase, which degrade lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose. White-rot fungi fully decompose lignin, whereas brown-rot fungi selectively remove cellulose and hemicellulose, leaving behind lignin-rich residues.
Bacteria also play a critical role in this process, either by decomposing wood directly or by interacting with fungi in synergistic or antagonistic relationships. Certain bacterial species, such as Actinobacteria and Proteobacteria, can degrade cellulose and lignin. Others, on the other hand, enhance fungal activity by providing essential nutrients or breaking down inhibitory compounds. In contrast, some bacteria compete with fungi, producing antimicrobial compounds that alter decomposition dynamics.
Environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and wood chemistry influence fungal–bacterial diversity and activity. Studying these microbial interactions is essential for understanding forest ecosystem functioning, carbon sequestration, and applications in biotechnology, such as biofuel production and bioremediation. Therefore, advances in metagenomics and bioinformatics will help us reveal the complexity of these microbial communities, providing new insights into their ecological roles and potential applications.
Dr. Izabella Olejniczak
Guest Editor
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Keywords
- environmental microbiology
- wood decomposition
- environmental factors
- metagenomics and bioinformatics
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