Aphyllophoroid Fungi of the North Karelian Biosphere Reserve (Finland)

Abstract

Aphyllophoroid fungi were collected at 11 sites in the Finnish North Karelian Biosphere Reserve during the summer seasons of 1993 1998. A total of 252 species belonging to 115 genera in 19 families were recorded, including 20 protected and 38 so-called indicator species. Corticioid and poroid fungi on decayed wood are characteristic for the forests of the boreal zone. A high number of terrestrial fungi is also characteristic for the pine forests which dominate the area. Large, ancient forest sites surrounded by mires are normally more species-rich than smaller ones situated inside the timber-extraction zone. The richest of the sites studied is Syvaijrvi, followed by Kotavaara, Tapionaho, Lahnavaara and Koitajoki. All these sites contain a high level of threatened and indicator species. These and additional sites where endangered species have been recorded need to be protected and excluded from logging.