title: The fungal dimension of biological invasions.
abstract: Fungi represent an essential component of biodiversity, not only because of the large number of species, but also for their ecological, evolutionary and socio-economic significance. Yet, until recently, fungi received scant consideration in ecology, especially invasion ecology. Their under-representation is largely the result of a lack of scientific knowledge of fungal biodiversity and ecology. With the exception of pathogenic fungi, which cause emergent infectious diseases, the impact of fungal invasions is often difficult to quantify owing to limited baseline data on fungal communities. Here, we aim to raise awareness among mycologists and ecologists of the fungal dimension of invasions and of the need to intensify research in fungal ecology to address issues of future introductions.
authors.affiliation: INRA, UMR 1202 BIOGECO, Equipe de Pathologie Forestière, F33883 Villenave d'Ornon, France. loustau@bordeaux.inra.fr
authors.forename: Marie-Laure
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Desprez-Loustau
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Robin
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buée
authors.forename: Régis
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Courtecuisse
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Garbaye
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Suffert
authors.forename: Ivan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sache
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Rizzo
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D005658:Fungi; D058865:Introduced Species