Wood-decaying fungi in old-growth boreal forest fragments: extinctions and colonizations over 20 years

According to ecology theory, isolated habitat fragments cannot maintain populations of specialized species. Yet, empirical evidence based on monitoring the same over time is still limited. We studied colonization–extinction dynamics eight wood-decaying fungal species in 16 old-growth forest (<14 ha) a 20-year period (1997–2017). observed 19 extinctions and 5 colonizations; yet, distribution colonizations did not differ from one expected by chance for any Twenty-six percent took place two natural amid large forest–peatland complexes. (Romell) Bourdot Galzin decreased (P. Karst.) increased abundance (number logs occupied). The volume living spruce trees correlated positively with number inhabited five study Because fragment characteristics affect turnover, it seems that stochastic processes governed extinctions. Although least abundant 1997 had declined, most become more abundant, appears fungi can persist decades fragments, if suitable dead wood continuously available.Phellinus nigrolimitatusPhellinus ferrugineofuscus