Book Description
Peer-reviewed, original research, clinical and epidemiological studies and technical reports on an emerging public health topic affecting people in indoor environments at work and at home - world wide. More than 90 international authors with various scientific and professional backgrounds, and practitioners have written about - health effects, assessment, treatment, and real-life issues related to microbial indoor air problems - possibly explaining "sick-building disease" and "building related disease" problems, new occupational diseases and health reactions to organic dust (fungi, bacteria, mycotoxins, endotoxins, glucans). Includes many informative illustrations and pictures. ... Read more

Book Description
Photographs by Dwight Kuhn

Set off on a slime hunt; learn how to collect puffballs, lichens, and other fungi; grow your own molds and yeasts; observe and chart the growth of molds found everywhere in your home or school. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Awesome learning!!
After a thorough research at the library and on the Internet, this find was the jewel hiding in the sand!.This is
a topic not many authors approach, especially when it comes to
explaning to children, in clear language, what molds are.Not
only does it offer detailed definitions and explanations, it also gives the child many ways in which he can experiment with
molds.The pictures are very good, too!We used it for a Science Project that will be exhibited at a Science Fair. Not only did my children learn lots, I did too!! ... Read more

Book Description
Biodiversity of Fungi is essential for anyone collecting and/or monitoring any fungi.Fascinating and beautiful, fungi are vital components of nearly all ecosystems and impact human health and our economy in a myriad of ways.Standardized methods for documenting diversity and distribution have been lacking. A wealth of information, especially regrading sampling protocols, compiled by an international team of fungal biologists, make Biodiversity of Fungi an incredible and fundamental resource for the study of organismal biodiversity.

Chapters cover everything from what is a fungus, to maintaining and organizing a permanent study collection with associated databases; from protocols for sampling slime molds to insect associated fungi; from fungi growing on and in animals and plants to mushrooms and truffles. The chapters are arranged both ecologically and by sampling method rather than by taxonomic group for ease of use. The information presented here is intended for everyone interested in fungi, anyone who needs tools to study them in nature including naturalists, land managers, ecologists, mycologists, and even citizen scientists and sophiscated amateurs.

Covers all groups of fungi - from molds to mushrooms, even slime molds
Describes sampling protocols for many groups of fungi
Arranged by sampling method and ecology to coincide with users needs
Beautifully illustrated to document the range of fungi treated and techniques discussed
Natural history data are provided for each group of fungi to enable users to modify suggested protocols to meet their needs ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Mycological guide for beginners and more experienced mycologists
If you are looking for a nice mycological encyclopedia that deals with methods and protocols, "Biodiversity of Fungi: inventory and monitoring methods" organized by Foster and co-authors is the book of choice! It has several basic and more advanced methods of isolation that cover the different fungal groups. Despite of that the book provides introductory chapters on how to proceed in fungal ecological surveys and to analyze the results as well as a minor chapter of fungal phylogenetics. As a matter of fact, big projects like this lack more details when dealing with each fungal group but still is a major source of information that any mycologist or mycology student interested in ecological aspects of fungi should have in their private libraries.

Almost comprehensive
The reference included chapters on most aspects of mycology, with an intended focus on biodiversity. Two approaches to understanding fungi from unique environments were completely ignored: aeromycology and fossil fungi. There is a large body of literature from research in both these areas. The fossil fungi particularly need a better correlation with contemporary species and a discussion of their diversity would have been an asset to the theme of this compilation. ... Read more

Book Description
This is the second edition of the definitive work on fungi infoods covering identification, isolation, enumeration, taxonomy,physiologyand mycotoxin formation.High quality halftones provide abook ofgreat value to food microbiologists, mycologists, foodscientists andtechnologists and all those involved in food qualityand safety. ... Read more

Book Description
Fungi are of fundamental importance in the terrestrial environment. They have roles as decomposers, plant pathogens, symbionts, and in elemental cycles. Fungi are often dominant, and in soil can comprise the largest pool of biomass (including other microorganisms and invertebrates). They also play a role in maintenance of soil structure due to their filamentous growth habit and exopolymer production. Despite their important roles in the biosphere, fungi are frequently neglected within broader environmental and microbiological spheres. Additionally, mycological interests can be somewhat fragmented between traditional subject boundaries. This multi-disciplinary volume explores the roles and importance of fungi in the environment. Particular emphasis is given to major research advances made in recent years as a result of molecular and genomic approaches, and in cell imaging and biology. Drawing together microbiologists, mycologists, and environmental scientists, this work is a unique account of modern environmental mycology, and a pivotal contribution to the field. ... Read more

Book Description
The identification and characterisation of genes from filamentous fungi has become easier because of the rapid advances that have taken place in molecular biology, including the generation of whole genome sequences. The new challenge facing researchers is to determine the functions of genes and how they contribute to the biology of fungi. To do this, it is clear that a wide variety of different experimental techniques will be necessary, ranging from classical genetic analysis and mutant production, right through to cell biology, biochemistry and immunological methods.This book brings together detailed practical guidance from experienced researchers using the full range of these genetic, genomic, cellular and biochemical methods. The authors describe laboratory procedures that have been proven effective for the investigation of a wide variety of fungal species. They give key background information, technical tips and detailed experimental protocols, which will prove invaluable to researchers and students studying filamentous fungi. ... Read more

Product Description
What grows in dirt but isn't a plant, eats but isn't an animal? Fungi! ... Read more

Book Description
Uniting-for the first time-current information on anaerobic fungi from a number of different disciplines, this unique reference examines the taxonomy, physiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and ecology of anaerobic fungi-focusing on fungi from the rumen and other gut environments such as the cecum and hindgut of nonruminant herbivores. Anaerobic Fungi · Presents new techniques for culturing anaerobic fungi! · analyzes the isolation, culture, and survival of anaerobic fungi · describes the nucleic acids of anaerobic fungi, gene cloning, and the establishment of molecular phylogeny · discusses the fermentation of carbohydrates · explains how anaerobic fungi interact with other microorganisms · investigates the ultrastructure of plant cell walls degraded by fungi · details the effects of diet on fungal populations · delineates specific procedures for quantifying anaerobic fungi · outlines potential directions for future research in molecular genetics · and more! ... Read more

Amazon.com
The remarkable thing about this guide to European fungi is the photographs. Each specimen is stunningly presented against a pitch-black background. From glistening grotesqueries to lacy parasols, every mushroom is a work of art. This isn't a practical field guide, even though the author (president of a French mycological society) provides information on growing season, habitat, and edibility. Rather, this is a book to be savored at home, perhaps after a day of careful mushroom hunting. From the forbidding black club of the Earth Tongue to the extraterrestrial beauty of the Blushing Bracket, fungus enthusiasts will find plenty of eye candy here. --Therese Littleton ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

fungi
In my opinion, as a GCSE art student, this book has been and still is an inspiration to me. It contains hundreds of beautiful photographs, so that even if, like me you are not a 'fungi fan' you can still admire the beauty of these creatures. This is a beautiful and informative book, and is well worth owning, even without any interest in the subject you can still be amazed by it. ... Read more

Product Description
Part of the popular North Woods Naturalist Series, this field guide contains detailed information with an innovative format that makes field identification a snap! The guide will help you know what to look for and when, and it was developed exclusively for the regions surrounding the North Woods of the United States and Canada. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Fun, Informative Book on Mushrooms
This book is a great introduction to the world of fungi. It has helpful information and illustrations, and it gives accessible information without dumbing it down.

excellant introductory book
While not a complete book for a serious mushroom collector this book introduces the reader to the wonderful world of fungi. The artwork in awesome, and the amount of information on the selected species of mushrooms is great considering the size of the book. It would be a great companion for a walk in the north woods in late summer!!! ... Read more

Book Description
With this wonderful guide, everyone can learn about the great variety of mushrooms and other fungi found in different types of woods, parks, and grasslands of the United States. With entries organized by typical location, detailed full-color illustrations and symbols identifying key features of each species allow quick identification of different types of plants. Learn to recognize Chanterelles, Destroying Angels, Salmon Waxycaps, and many, many more wonderful mushrooms. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

It's Handy to Know What Fungi You're Photographing.
I'm not a fan of eating mushrooms in the wild, but this book is pretty good for identifying them for photography purposes.

There is nothing more annoying than photographing a stunning fungi and not having a name to put in the caption.

I highly recommend this book to all fungi fanciers out there! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Botany Bible
This is the no. 1 must-have book for all botanists of people interested in plants. Its the most complete and in-depth reference you'll find on the subject. Do not be tacken aback by its publication date. It is still the most respected reference for any course on Botany or Biology of Plants. ... Read more

Amazon.com
This is the be-all and end-all of mushroom books! Truly an encyclopedia of mushroom facts and lore, lavishly illustrated with full-color photographs, literally everything you need to know about mushrooms, edible or not. Arora has taught mycology for close to twenty years and has hunted and photographed mushrooms across the North American continent. Threaded through the book are his wry and humorous observations and comments, making what could have been a rather dull, "just-the-facts, ma'am" reference book into a really enjoyable read. The stunning photographs of the incredible variety of fungi are fascinating and eye-opening, and while the author gives clear and factual information, the mysterious allure of mushrooms in their countless shapes, sizes and colors is only increased by this huge and delightful book. --Mark HettsBook Description
Nothing is more elusive and mysterious than the wild mushroom.David Arora celebrates the gathering and study of wild mushrooms with engaging style, wit and simple terminology.Mushrooms Demystified includes descriptions, photographs, and keys to over 2,000 species.There is a Beginner's Checklist of the 70 most distinctive and common mushrooms plus detailed chapters on terminology, classification, habitats, mushroom cookery, mushroom toxins, and the meanings of scientific mushroom names. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (38)

Very Well Written
It's a big book and covers a lot. The pictures are great. If you're looking a mushroom bible, this appears to be it.

great book for the pacific northwest
This is a great book if you are interested in identifying the mushrooms in the forests and countryside of the PNW.Takes some getting used to the taxonomic nomeclature but is a good read, clearly presented and entertaining for beginners and experts alike.Not that many colour plates is the only downside of the book, but you mustn't be tempted to try to i.d. mushrooms by appearance especially if you intend to eat them.Use the keys!Highly recommended book.

The title describes it best
Perhaps the best affirmation of this book is how I acquired it:it was assigned as a textbook in an evening class at a local community college, "Mushroom Identification and Taxonomy".That was 15 years ago.It was a regular 4 credit hour class, using microscopes to examine spores etc.I can't imagine what other book would have been used because it is so detailed and carefully organized.As other reviewers have commented, it is indeed heavy but I have still found it worthwhile to stuff into my rucksack when I go afield.My copy is weather-beaten and the pages are marked up and highlighted.The photos are excellent and I wish there were more of them.Arora is an excellent writer; the text is clear.He has a good sense of humor and an obvious passion for mushrooms.When it comes to safety he is completely serious.The section on the deadly Amanitas is especially helpful because he carefully explains the field marks and arms the reader with the knowledge of how to identify them.I have come to appreciate the incredible variety of mushrooms because the book has greatly increased my awareness.Just as I have learned to identify many birdcalls and native plants--which enriches my time in the forest--I find myself drawn to the beauty of mushrooms, even tho I can't identify most of them.I am purchasing a copy for my brother-in-law and his wife.When I saw the reviews I felt I had to add my favorable comments.And by the way, it is oriented to folks like me who want to learn to identify the edible varieties.All his listed species have a line for "Edibility".While the vast majority are "not recommended", "inedible", "unknown", etc., some are labeled as "Edible and choice!", a happy find.This book sets the standard for mushroom identification.

An Encylopedic Guide
At 959 pages you won't carry this one to the field.We own several other MR/Fungi Guides, each has it's own strength.This one gets credit for attempting the greatest number of species.The Keys for each genus attempts to follow a logical step-by-step decision tree progression.When it works, it's great.But there are many times when the distinctions are just not clear cut, and it doesn't.That's more a function of the complexity of MR/fungi and nature than it is the author's fault.The lack of many color photographs is a minus, as is the very fine print used throughout.The author is a good educator.His knowledge and experience, as well as great sense of humor come through in his discussion.The book clearly identifies a West Coast bias, but adds observations from other experts in other geographic areas.This was recommended to us as the definitive guide.Maybe so, but if I was starting out, I would first use one of the simpler guides such as the Peterson Field Guide.

Mushrooms Demystified: A Comprehensive Guide to the Fleshy Fungi
My son loves this book and has used it several times already.I would highly recommend this book for anyone who is interested in studying mushrooms. ... Read more

Book Description

This broad introduction to the field of mycologyexplores the more dynamic aspects of the fungi — includingtheir morphology, taxonomy, evolution, physiology, ecology, pathological relationships, and commercial utilization. Provides information on the history of mycology as well asapplications of molecular biology techniques for the study of fungi.Also covers the role of fungi in degradation of pesticides, foodspoilage, biological control utilizing fungi, and fungi as human allergens.

Product Description
Fungi in the Ancient World: How Mushrooms, Mildews, Molds, and Yeast Shaped the Early Civilizations of Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Near East

Were ancient religions the product of hallucinogenic mushrooms?

Did mycotoxins cause the plague of Athens?

Did poisonous mushrooms kill the emperor?

Frank Dugan sifts the evidence, separates hype and hyperbole from factual and plausible events, and conclusively demonstrates that fungi have strongly influenced western civilization from its very beginnings.

Fungi in the ancient world included edible, poisonous and psychoactive mushrooms, potent yeasts for brewing and baking, and pathogens of plants, humans and animals. Fungi and their impacts were recorded in art, literature, folklore, and myth.

Fungi in the Ancient World is a comprehensive review on the impact of fungi in helping to shape ancient civilizations. Mushrooms, mildews, molds, and yeast had a surprisingly profound impact on: diet, custom, politics, religion; human, animal, plant health; art, folklore, and the beginnings of science. This insightful book is a gateway to current methodologies for investigation of the co-evolution of plants, fungi, and humans from the Neolithic to the Middle Ages.

This well documented book presents reproductions and descriptions of fungal motifs in ancient art, myth, and folklore that enable direct examination of evidence by any reader, professional or lay. Interdisciplinary in scope, this detailed and illustrated book includes a historical perspective on co-evolution of fungi with early agriculture that provides documented summaries of contemporary research in this area, from archaeology to molecular-genetics. It also delivers a historical perspective on the impact of fungi on human and animal health in early times, with examples of current methods used to assess historical impacts of mycotoxins, allergens, and pathogens. Translations and summaries from relevant ancient Greek, Roman, Sumerian and other texts are included, demonstrating how ancients themselves observed and recorded significant impacts of fungi.

Peer reviewed for accuracy and balance, the book provides multiple perspectives from professionals in mycology, plant pathology, ancient history, and folklore. It summarizes a wide range of highly controversial published views on the impact of fungi on customs, folklore, and religion. In doing this, the title presents perspectives on what is probable, plausible, or improbable in this highly debated area that helped form western civilization.

Fungi in the Ancient World will be of interest to mycologists, plant pathologists, historians, folklorists, plant breeders, anthropologists, ethnobotanists, ethnomycolgists, and others interested in fungi s impact to ancient history. Extensively referenced and indexed.

Contents

Introduction; Fungi in Baking and Brewing; Edible Fungi; Fungi as Entheogens ; Fungi Used for Medicinal Purposes and Other Technologies; Plant-Pathogenic Fungi; Fungi as Agents of Rot on Wood and Fabric; Human and Animal Pathogens; Environmental and Ecological Roles of Fungi; Ancient Fungi Preserved in Glacial Ice or Permafrost; Ancient Images of Fungi; Fungi in Ancient European Folklore; Ideas of the Ancients on Fungal Biology; Some Additional Hypotheses Regarding the Impact of Fungi in Ancient Times; Conclusions; Literature Cited; Index ... Read more

Book Description
A fascinating look inside nature's fifth kingdom

Fungi are a distinct kingdom, separate from the plants and animals, bacteria and protists. They are ever-present—we inhale them with almost every breath—and without them the recycling of the Earth's nutrients would be impossible. Yet despite their ubiquitous nature, they are poorly understood. Roy Watling sheds new light on these amazing creatures, explaining why they are so unique and how they live their lives. 100 color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good basic introduction to fungi/mushrooms
This is a nice basic book that discusses fungi in general.Actually the title could still be called Mushrooms because if you are looking for scientific information on fungi there is not alot here.In fact many things are discussed generally.The writing style is too mature for young children (big words) but not scientific enough for those looking to do research or their own growing.And there is not enough information here to use this as an identification guide.Still, this book would be good for a brief introduction to fungi or as a gift for an older child interested in science. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Book
This is an excellent book for someone who is getting interested in learning mycology. Covers mainly macroscopic aspects of the agaric mushroom and has a very informative section on stature types. There are a few good keys and some descriptions, but other generic field guides cover more species. Overall i consider it a must for the student of mycology. ... Read more

Book Description
This is a book for the general reader about the world of fungi. We should know more about fungi. They have killed us, saved us and served us since before written records began. We have been making bread, brewing ale, and fermenting wine for millennia. Our crops have been at the mercy of fungal diseases since we became farmers, and they still are. Fungal diseases have caused large demographic changes - from the great plague of 'St. Anthony's Fire' of the Middle Ages (caused by a fungal toxin) to the Irish mass migration to the Americas during the famine (caused by a fungal disease of the potato crop).
We can also thank fungi for antibiotics, but do we fully appreciate the revolution in life style (and life expectancy) that these taken-for-granted treatments permit? One of the first people to receive penicillin treatment in England in the 1940s was a policeman in Oxford. He died of septicemia when the supplies of the antibiotic ran out after he had been scratched by a rose thorn.
Fungi enabled plants (by a mutualistic combination that persists today) to invade the land during the evolution of life on Earth. Higher fungi are almost unique in their ability to decay the chemical components of timber. Without the wood-rotting fungi we would be up to our eyes in dead trees. Fungi give us the opportunity of treating plant diseases and killing specific weeds, as well as being very useful for cleaning up polluted environments and for producing chemicals. In short, this book will show you why it is wise to look again at fungi and appreciate these extraordinary organisms for what they are: a vital component of our lives and of the Earth's ecosystem. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Is that price a typo?
This is an interestic book for mycophiles, or people just starting to get interested in mushrooms and other fungi.Some of the author's digressions into the dollar amounts of damage to industry blah blah blah get really dull.I did like learning the specific names of the organisms involved in fermentation and diseases.I used this as a source in my magazine The Urban Pantheist.I think the price listed (over seventy dollars when I wrote this) has got to be wrong.My copy cost under ten at another online book site.

If You Buy One Book on Fungi, This Should Be The One
As someone who delights in odd facts and has a curiosity about the underpinnings of our natural world, I found Moore's book to be the perfect blend of summary and specific detail, delivered in a relaxed and mischievious style. I've been on a quest for this type of book for a long time, both for personal pleasure and for research for my writing: one that went beyond the basic mushroom guide but that did not stray so far into the area of advanced scientific research that I could not follow it. Moore knows how to strike the right balance between entertainment and science in doling out the facts. I took great delight in chapter titles such as Toxins: Kill the Primates, Rule the World; Blights, Rusts, Bunts, and Mycoses; Decay and Degradation; and The Old Kingdom in Time and Space. Learning, for example, that rabbits can eat some mushrooms humans cannot is an innocuous enough fact--but learning that the Victorian cure for eating poison mushrooms consisted of downing a combination of raw rabbit stomachs and brains mixed with jam...well, that's simply the kind of detail that distinguishes an excellent book from a good book. Perhaps the best thing about the book is Moore's comfort level. He is so comfortable with this material that he revels in it--and this results in numerous corresponding delights for the reader. I have collected over two dozen books on fungi and this one is the best of the lot. ... Read more

Book Description
Adopting the novel approach of viewing the role of fungi from the perspective of ecosystem functions, this book examines the importance of fungi in soil formation, plant primary production, sustenance of secondary producers, and regulation of plant and animal populations and communities. This volume emphasizes the idea that fungi are not alone in the regulation of these processes. It addressesthe main processes occurring in ecosystems and showing where and how fungi are critical, and enables readers to gain a better understanding of the role of fungi in shaping ecosystems. Fungi in Ecosystem Processes considers the negative impact of fungi on faunal productivity and includes more than 1200 citations. ... Read more