Advances in Microbial Ecology, Softcover reprint of the original 1st ed. 1981 Advances in Microbial Ecology Series, Vol. 5

Advances in Microbial Ecology was established by the International Commis­ sion on Microbial Ecology to provide a vehicle for in-depth, critical, and, it is hoped, provocative reviews on aspects of both applied and basic microbial ecol­ ogy. In the five years of its existence, Advances has achieved recognition as a major source of information and inspiration both for practicing and f

1 Responses of Fungi to Nutrient-Limiting Conditions and to Inhibitory Substances in Natural Habitats.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Soil Habitat.- 2.1 Energy Budgets.- 2.2 Nitrogen and Minerals.- 2.3 Inhibitory Substances.- 3. Mycostasis.- 3.1 Sensitivities.- 3.2 Annulment.- 3.3 Ecological Significance.- 3.4 Mechanisms of Mycostasis.- 4. An Alternative Strategy—Carbonicolous Fungi.- 5. Mycolysis.- 5.1Resistance to Mycolysis.- 5.2Mechanisms of Mycolysis.- 6. Regermination.- 7. Appressorium Formation.- 8. Persistent Structure Formation.- 9. Perspective.- References.- 2 Oligotrophy: Fast and Famine Existence.- 1. Introduction.- 1.1. Isolation of Oligotrophic Bacteria.- 1.2. Oligotrophs as Aerobes.- 2. Proposed Characteristics of Oligotrophs.- 2.1 Nutrient Uptake.- 2.2 Nutrient Management.- 2.3 The Ideal Oligotroph and Its Problems.- 3. Characteristics of Probable Oligotrophs.- 3.1 Arthrobacter.- 3.2 Caulobacter.- 3.3 Chemostat-Selected Oligotrophs.- 4. Concluding Remarks.- References.- 3 Water and Microbial Stress.- 1. General Introduction.- 2. Thermodynamic Considerations.- 2.1 Chemical Potential.- 2.2 Potential Energy of Water and Water Potential.- 3. Matric Potential and Associated Factors.- 3.1 Matric Potential, Capillarity, and Absorption.- 3.2 Matric Potential and Water-Filled Pathways.- 4. Water Potential and Microbial Growth.- 5. Water Potential and Microbial Ecology.- 6. Water Potential and Microbial Physiology.- 6.1 Components of Water Potential of Cells.- 6.2 Magnitude of Cellular Potentials.- 6.3 Compatible Solutes and Osmoregulation.- References.- 4 Ecology of Mycorrhizae and Mycorrhizal Fungi.- 1. Introduction.- 2. The Hosts: Types of Mycorrhizal Structures and Large-Scale Distribution of Hosts.- 2.1 Mycorrhizae of Orchidaceae.- 2.2 Mycorrhizae of Ericales.- 2.3 Ectotrophic Mycorrhizae.- 2.4 VA Mycorrhizae.- 3. The Fungi.- 3.1 Classification.- 3.2 Dispersal of Mycorrhizal Fungi.- 3.3 Distribution of Mycorrhizal Fungi.- 4. The Association.- 4.1 Host-Fungus Specificity.- 4.2 The Infection Process.- 5. Factors Affecting the Development of Mycorrhizae.- 5.1 Light.- 5.2 Soil Factors.- 5.3 General Observations.- 6. Interactions with Other Components of the Ecosystem.- 6.1. Microorganisms.- 6.2. Higher Plants.- 7. Successions.- 7.1. In Previously Uncolonized Sites.- 7.2. From Natural to Man-Made Ecosystems.- 7.3. Within Established Systems.- 7.4. Survival of Fungi after Disappearance of the Host.- 8. Effects of Man on Distribution.- 8.1. Incidental Effects.- 8.2. Deliberate Effects.- References.- 5 Lignin Metabolism and the Carbon Cycle: Polymer Biosynthesis, Biodegradation, and Environmental Recalcitrance.- 1. Introduction.- 2. Biological and Chemical Analysis of Natural Lignin.- 2.1. Presence and Function in Plants.- 2.2. Chemical Structure.- 2.3. Synthesis in Plants.- 2.4. Polymer Evolution.- 3. Biological Degradation of Natural Lignin.- 3.1. Measurement of Polymer Decomposition.- 3.2. Polymer-Degrading Organisms.- 3.3. Physiology and Biochemistry of Polymer Metabolism in White-Rot Fungi.- 4. Lignin Decomposition and the Environment.- 4.1. General Abundance and Recalcitrance of Lignin.- 4.2. Biodégradation of Lignin in Nature.- 4.3. Biodégradation of Industrial and Agricultural Waste Lignins.- 5. Summary.- References.