I am Professor of Fungal Ecology at the Department of Forest Mycology and Plant Pathology, Uppsala BioCenter, SLU. I head a small group, conducting research about fungal ecology in boreal forest ecosystems. We study the interplay between fungal communities and their environment; how community composition depends on environmental parameters and disturbances, but also how fungi affect their environment, primarily as degraders of organic matter.

Recent publications

Mycorrhizal fungi build humus in boreal forests

Combining isotope analysis, fungal biomarkers and high throughput sequencing of fungal DNA, we show that mycorrhizal mycelium is an important source of carbon for long term storage in boreal forest soils. By analysing soil profiles from islands in a lake in northern Sweden, representing a chronosequence of ecosystem age, we found that declining productivity in aging ecosystems is paralleled by increasing accumulation of carbon and nitrogen in fungal mycelium and its remains in the soil.

Read the whole paper in Science here.

Mycorrhizal mycelium. Photo: Adam Bahr

Fungal community analysis by high-throughput sequencing of amplified markers – a user's guide

Taking advantage of the collective experience of six research groups, we here review the different stages involved in fungal community analysis, from field sampling via laboratory procedures to bioinformatics and data interpretation. We discuss potential pitfalls, alternatives, and solutions.

Read the whole paper in New Phytologist here.

Fungi that have previously only been known through DNA sequences, have now been cultivated and classified. The fungi, which have lived hidden underground for millions of years, represent a class of fungi that is new to scientists, Archaeorhizomycetes.

Read the article in Science here. 

We approach the diverse ecological roles of fungi as decomposers and ectomycorrhizal symbionts from different viewpoints; from gene expression and biochemistry via community ecology to ecosystem modelling. Molecular methods and bioinformatics are important tools, and we specialise in the use of high throughput sequencing of molecular markers to analyse fungal communities in complex field samples. I am a member of the editorial board of 'Fungal Ecology' and the advisory board for 'New Phytologist'. As director of undergraduate studies, I am also engaged in teaching and organise a yearly recurring master's course in Soil Biology.

CV

Publication list

Chitinase expression in two interacting wood rotting fungi (Picture: Björn Lindahl).

Ongoing Projects:

IMPRESS – Integrating microorganism in predictive models of carbon sequestration in soils

The roles of fungal diversity, forest management and their interactions - analysis and valuation effects on Ecosystem Services – Anders Dahlberg, Björn Lindahl, Roger Finlay, Lucy Rist & Ing-Marie Gren

Competition between the mycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungal communities of boreal forest soils - Erica Sterkenburg, Karina Clemmensen, Roger Finlay & Björn Lindahl

Fungal communities in coniferous forest in relation to soil fertility - Erica Sterkenburg, Karina Clemmensen & Björn Lindahl

The potential of continuous cover forestry to maintain diverse ectomycorrhizal communities - Erica Sterkenburg, Roger Finlay, Björn Lindahl & Anders Dahlberg

Functioning of litter decomposing fungi in carbon and nitrogen circulation in boreal forests - Johanna Boberg, Jan Stenlid, Roger Finlay & Björn Lindahl

Fungal peroxidases involved in the degradation of recalcitrant organic matter in boreal forest ecosystems - Inga Bödeker, Karina Clemmensen, Åke Olson & Björn Lindahl

Tree-fungi-soil interactions in the subarctic-alpine forest-heath ecotone - Karina Clemmensen & Björn Lindahl

Fungal community composition in alpine forest - effects of tree species, soil warming and elevated CO2 levels - Björn Lindahl & Frank Hagedorn