Sinhagad forest area has over 1,000 fungi species: Study

PUNE: A team of city researchers have claimed that there are over 1,000 species of fungi and more than 60 different types of lichens in and around the Sinhagad forest area. Many of these fungi species have medicinal properties, edible value and have an ecological role to play.

The team comprising J G Vaidya from the University of Pune, V D Ranade from the MES Garware College, Sachin Punekar from Biospheres and Kiran Ramchandra Ranadive from the Waghire College, Saswad, have highlighted the importance of the fungi and lichens and also the fact that their study has largely remained neglected. They have said there is ample scope to further explore the diversity of fungi and lichen and take up related studies.

The Sinhagad forest area has dry and moist deciduous forest which is an ideal habitat for fungi, which occur on the fallen wood parts and leaf litter. Various pattern of fungal succession is seasonal occurrence too. During heavy rains, mushrooms are also found in abundance.

Ranadive, assistant professor, Waghire College, Saswad, told TOI that a majority of medicines are derived from fungi, which are used for production of antibiotics. Various enzymes produced by fungi have industrial uses.

Punekar, who is the founder-president of Biospheres, said fungi are recyclers of forest as they help in recycling of nutrients. "Healthy forests require fungi which are also scavengers of the forest. There is a need for proper awareness regarding the importance of fungi which have several uses for both humans and plants. Bioprospecting and domesticating them will ensure monetary benefits," he said.

"'Flavodon Flavus' and 'Caloplaca' are the two fungi found in Sinhagad forest area that are used in dyeing industry for its yellow pigment. The other species, 'Lycoperdon' fungi, is used by tribals for healing wounds. 'Ganoderma' that are wood-decaying fungi and can cure more than 100 diseases are also found in and around Sinhagad," said Ranadive.

He said that common fungi, like 'Pisolithus Arhizus', is an indicator of disturbed vegetation found in the Sinhagad forest area. Originally from Africa, the fungi are now found all over India. They occur on termite mound and are edible, he added.

Another fungi found in the forest area is 'Mycorrhiza' that is associated with certain plant species. "There are also bio-luminescent fungi that glow at night, for example mycelium of 'Xylaria Hypoxylon'. 'Cyathus' is another fungi found here that is known as the bird's nest fungi, as it resembles tiny birds' nests filled with eggs," said Punekar.

"There are fungi that can act as parasites and can kill or seriously disable insects. An example would be 'Cordyceps' fungi, which also has medicinal properties. There are certain groups of fungi which grow on hair shed by wild animals, cowdung, animal excreta and some reside inside plant tissue," he said.

"Fungi are air-borne too and found in the atmosphere. They can cause allergies or respiratory problems. Hence they are clinically important," Punekar said. He pointed out that habitat destruction is a real threat to fungi. The forest fungi will vanish if there is no leaf litter. Another threat is erratic monsoon. Since fungi need specific moisture content, changes in climate and temperature can affect their reproductive phenology, he added.

There are several lichens found in the Sinhagad forest area and are the best indicator of non-polluted areas. They can be found on the rocks, bark and leaves. A rare lichen, 'Dermatocarpon', is typical of rocky outcrop of Sinhagad.