Mushrooms have great ecological and economic importance. Macrofungi (e.g. mushrooms, boletes, puffballs, and bracket fungi) are an integral part of all forest and grassland systems. They are intimately involved with such basic processes as nutrient cycling, nutrient uptake, decomposition of organic matter, water regulations, plant-to-plant interactions, and interactions among other soil associated organisms. Many macrofungi form a relationship, or symbiosis, with trees that is essential and mutually beneficial to both tree and fungus. This symbiosis, termed ectomycorrhiza, provides the trees with minerals and water, and protects the tree from root disease, or pathogens. It has recently been shown that the fungi can link trees together below ground—enabling trees to “share” carbohydrates and minerals, and creating a dynamic, interacting community. In return, the mushroom gets sugars from the associated trees. These sugars were “made” by the plant through photosynthesis. Neither tree nor fungus can thrive in nature without the other. continue >>