Welcome to North American Fungi
North American Fungi publishes original, peer-reviewed articles on Fungi (Chytrids, Zygomycetes, lichenized and non-lichenized Ascomycetes, and Basidiomycetes) as well as other organisms traditionally studied by mycologists, such as Oomycetes and slime molds. Manuscripts are published by posting them to this website following rigorous peer review. In order to expedite publication, postings occur as soon as manuscripts are ready for publication rather than at set intervals. Please check the journal frequently to see what has been newly published or sign up for email updates to inform you about new additions to the site.
Forage lichens are pendulous, hairlike species eaten by a wide range of mammals. The main course is Bryoria fremontii, which forms massive dark brown beards on conifers. Abundant in the Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains where it can achieve a biomass over 1 T/ha dry weight, this species becomes increasingly rare southward and eastward in drier habitats. The palatability of Bryoria fremontii is notable because, unlike most forage lichens, it virtually lacks the secondary chemicals that defend lichens against herbivory. Despite the ecological importance of Bryoria in western North America, studies of its response to disturbance are few. Click the photo to read a paper on how Bryoria responds to the onslaught of disease and disturbance in our forests [file size: 1033 kb].
