Fungi are organisms of significant importance not only for the crucial roles they undertake in nature but also for many human\udactivities that are strictly dependent on them. Indeed, fungi possess fundamental positions in ecosystems functioning\udincluding nutrient cycles and wood decomposition. As concerns human-related activities, edible and non-edible mushrooms\udare also involved and/or exploited in forestry, pharmaceutical industry and food production; hence, nowadays they represent\uda major economic source worldwide. In order to maintain and improve their strategic importance, several conservation\udstrategies, such as habitat preservation, are needed. This article reports several contributions inherent to the relationships\udbetween wood-decaying fungi, edible and non-edible mushrooms and their potential exploitation as non-timber forest\udproducts and genetic resources.
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