Most fungi are
saprophytes, meaning they
feed on dead or decaying
material. By breaking down this debris and leaf litter
that would otherwise accumulate on the ground and in the
creek, fungi cycle and release nutrients through the Emigration Creek ecosystem, making them available
for other organisms. Their life cycle includes spore
production from which single celled filaments called hyphae grow. Because
fungi cannot ingest their food like animals, or make
their own food like plants can, they must gain nutrients
through these hyphae. They network through the substrate
they are feeding on, whether it be a decomposing animal, dead
leaves that fall into the creek, or other debris that
may accumulate on the bed of the stream. These hyphae secrete
digestive enzymes, breaking down the food source and
allowing the fungus to absorb the nutrients and help the fungus grow other organisms. These organisms may feed on the fungi,
like planaria, snails,
or aquatic insects, but usually they eat the organic particles
or detritus, which the fungi and bacteria
help to break apart into smaller pieces.
Image courtesy of
|
