1 Responses of Fungi to Nutrient-Limiting Conditions and to Inhibitory Substances in Natural Habitats. - 1. Introduction. - 2. The Soil Habitat. - 3. Mycostasis. - 4. An Alternative StrategyCarbonicolous Fungi. - 5. Mycolysis. - 6. Regermination. - 7. Appressorium Formation. - 8. Persistent Structure Formation. - 9. Perspective. - References. - 2 Oligotrophy: Fast and Famine Existence. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Proposed Characteristics of Oligotrophs. - 3. Characteristics of Probable Oligotrophs. - 4. Concluding Remarks. - References. - 3 Water and Microbial Stress. - 1. General Introduction. - 2. Thermodynamic Considerations. - 3. Matric Potential and Associated Factors. - 4. Water Potential and Microbial Growth. - 5. Water Potential and Microbial Ecology. - 6. Water Potential and Microbial Physiology. - 6. 3 Compatible Solutes and Osmoregulation. - References. - 4 Ecology of Mycorrhizae and Mycorrhizal Fungi. - 1. Introduction. - 2. The Hosts: Types of Mycorrhizal Structures and Large-Scale Distribution of Hosts. - 3. The Fungi. - 4. The Association. - 5. Factors Affecting the Development of Mycorrhizae. - 6. Interactions with Other Components of the Ecosystem. - 7. Successions. - 8. Effects of Man on Distribution. - References. - 5 Lignin Metabolism and the Carbon Cycle: Polymer Biosynthesis Biodegradation and Environmental Recalcitrance. - 1. Introduction. - 2. Biological and Chemical Analysis of Natural Lignin. - 3. Biological Degradation of Natural Lignin. - 4. Lignin Decomposition and the Environment. - 5. Summary. - References. Language: English