Fungi

Fungi perform important functions in the forest. We study the interaction between fungi and trees, and examine which factors affect fungal growth. In the SwissFungi data centre, we gather information on the distribution of fungus species that exist in Switzerland and provide the basis for their protection.

Fungi decompose dead organic matter like wood, leaves and needle litter, and thereby keep the nutrient cycle going. In the root zone, as mycorrhizal fungi they help almost all higher plants to absorb water and nutrients, even our forest trees.

We investigate the diversity of mycorrhizal fungi in forest ecosystems and their role in the forests’ stability and regeneration capacity. We try to understand how mycorrhizal fungi adapt to changing environmental conditions, such as increased drought, and how environmental changes affect their composition and function.

Our research also focuses on the fruit bodies of these fungi as an important non-timber forest resource. For the Burgundy truffle in particular, we are using a long-term monitoring approach to investigate how ecological and climatic factors influence the productivity of this precious truffle species. Using genetic methods, we study their life cycle and dispersal.

Some fungi can cause plant diseases. Forest Protection Switzerland (WSS) diagnoses the causes of forest damage, provides information on current events and advises those affected on forest protection issues.

Which fungus grows where?

In the national data and information centre SwissFungi, we compile collection data and environmental data on the species of fungus that exist in Switzerland, and thereby document spatial and temporal changes in their populations. SwissFungi provides the basis for implementing conservation measures for fungus. We advise the federal government, cantonal authorities and the public on how fungi can be nurtured, produce species protection pamphlets and publish the Red List of Macrofungi together with the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN).

Publications

Treindl A., Brännhage J., Schlegel M., Vlcek P., Zengerer V., Blaser S., Gross A. (2022) Erstes Jahr eines Grossprojekts für den Schweizer Pilzschutz. Ein Rück- und Ausblick zur Feldkampagne für die neue Rote Liste der Grosspilze. Schweiz. Z. Pilzkd. 100(1), 24-26. Institutional Repository DORA

Peter M., Treindl A. (2022) Mykorrhizapilze - die geheimen Helfer im Wald. Bündnerwald. 75(6), 40-46. Institutional Repository DORA

Steidinger B.S., Büntgen U., Stobbe U., Tegel W., Sproll L., Haeni M., … Peter M. (2022) The fall of the summer truffle: recurring hot, dry summers result in declining fruitbody production of Tuber aestivum in Central Europe. Glob. Chang. Biol. 28(24), 7376-7390. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16424 Institutional Repository DORA

Staubli F., Imola L., Dauphin B., Molinier V., Pfister S., Piñuela Y., … Peter M. (2022) Hidden fairy rings and males - genetic patterns of natural Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum Vittad.) populations reveal new insights into its life cycle. Environ. Microbiol. 24(12), 6376-6391. https://doi.org/10.1111/1462-2920.16131 Institutional Repository DORA

Senn-Irlet B., Blaser S., Dougoud R., Stöckli E., Gross A., Mürner R. (2021) Ascomyceten der Schweiz – seltene und wenig dokumentierte Arten. Cryptogamica Helvetica: Vol. 23. Bern: Bryolich. 431 p. Institutional Repository DORA

Brännhage J., Gross A. (2020) Eichenmehltau. Erysiphe alphitoides (Griffon & Maubl.) U. Braun & S. Takam. (Familie: Erysiphaceae).  Erysiphe hypophylla (Nevod.) U. Braun & Cunningt. (Familie: Erysiphaceae). Erysiphe quercicola S. Takam. & U. Braun (Familie: Erysiphaceae). Factsheet Neomyceten. Birmensdorf: Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL. 4 p. Institutional Repository DORA

Brännhage J., Gross A. (2020) Tintenfischpilz. Clathrus archeri (Berk.) Dring (Familie: Phallaceae, Stinkmorchelverwandte). Roter Gitterling. Clathrus ruber Micheli ex Pers. (Familie: Phallaceae, Stinkmorchelverwandte). Factsheet Neomyceten. Birmensdorf: Eidg. Forschungsanstalt für Wald, Schnee und Landschaft WSL. 3 p. Institutional Repository DORA

Projects

In this bilateral LabEx-SwissForestLab project, we are investigating whether the main mutualistic partners of beech forests are adapted to their local habitat and if trees and fungi form a co-adaptation complex that could confer benefits for nutrient and water supply in adverse environments.

On behalf of the Canton of Bern, this project is developing an action plan for the protected and highly endangered Pink Waxcap (Hygrocybe calyptriformis).

Within the framework of this long-term project, we collect data on alien fungi in Switzerland, advise the Confederation and the cantons, and develop basic principles for practical application.

In this project, a species inventory of xylobiont beetles and fungi in spruce and fir-spruce natural forest reserves is carried out in comparison to managed stands. The monitoring has the aim to evaluate the effectiveness of forest reserves.

The first Red List of Switzerland's macrofungi was published in 2007. Within the framework of this project, a reassessment of the threat levels of Swiss macrofungi is being carried out on behalf of the FOEN.

The Swiss Fungus Data and Information Centre SwissFungi supports an innovative book and app project by Haupt Verlag and the mushroom book author duo Ruedi Winkler and Gaby Keller.

This Swiss-Spanish project investigates the dynamics and competition of the black Périgord and Burgundy truffles under the influence of climate change.

We study the complex biotic and abiotic ecology and the population genetics of the Burgundy truffle (Tuber aestivum) in Switzerland and the German pre-Alps, with particular emphasis on the ecological and climatological drivers for the productivity and phenology of this most valuable truffle species.

Services and products

In the national data and information centre SwissFungi, we compile collection data and environmental data on the species of fungus that exist in Switzerland, and thereby document spatial and temporal changes in their populations. SwissFungi provides the basis for implementing conservation measures for fungus.

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