C. Barluzzi

Coenological research on macrofungi in evergreen oak woods in the hills near Siena (Italy)

For a mycocoenological study of macromycetes in Mediterranean evergreen forests in the Siencese province, five stands belonging to theQuercion ilicis have been observed during more than two years. The phytosociological analysis of these evergreen oak woods, situated at the limit of the geographical distribution of the alliance, reveals them as intermediate between the typical Mediterranean vegetation and the sub-Mediterranean deciduous broad-leaved forests. 181 fungal species were recognized and assigned to seven ecological groups on the basis of substratum, habitat, forest management and/or particular mycorrhizal relationship. Our results have been compared with those obtained in some European deciduous forests. Such a comparison shows the occurrence of 16 thermophilous fungal species in the Siena woods which are missing or very rare in the European deciduous forests. On the basis of our present knowledge, five of these species (Boletus lepidus, Hygrophorus dichrous, Hygrocybe nigrescens, Inocybe similis, Phellinus torulosus) may be considered as strictly tied to the evergreen oak woods. Five others, which have been reported for several European phytocoenoses, seem to be ‘preferential taxa’ of our evergreen oak woods, namely:cortinarius calochrous, C. sodagnitus, Hygrophorus arbustivus, H. russula, Lyophyllum immundum. On the whole the highest similarities have been found with the more xerothermophilous European forests (Querco-Lithospermetum andSorbo-Quercetum). The presence in theQuercus ilex woods of numerous more mesophilous fungi, some of which are widespread in beech forests, underlines the transitional nature of the phytocoenoses studied.

Periodicity, fluctuations and successions of macrofungi in fir forests (Abies alba Miller) in Tuscany, Italy

Abstract The present study, carried out in natural and planted Abies alba Miller woods, was undertaken as a contribution to knowledge of temporal changes occurring in fungal communities. Moreover, notes on fungal species and fungal communities in this type of wood are given. Correlations between meteorological variables and fungi (number of species and number of carpophores, as total or divided into trophic groups) were tested by Pearson’s product-moment coefficient. On a short time scale, weather parameters clearly play a major role, affecting periodicity and fluctuations; on a long time scale (10 years or more), correspondence analysis (CA) indicate that vegetation parameters and forest evolution affect successions.

Mycofloristic investigations in the geothermal area of Travale-Radicondoli (Tuscany, central Italy)

Summary Mycofloristic investigations have been carried out in deciduous oak-woods in the geothermal area of Travale-Radicondoli (Tuscany, Central Italy). 235 fungal species (Ascomycota and Basidiomycota) have been identified during 3 observation years; some of these are uncommon or rare, some others have never been cited for the Province of Siena. From this study emerges that geothermal activity seems to be less polluting than other types of industries or power stations.