Diversity of Higher Fungi on University of Ibadan Campus (2)

Fungi generally play crucial roles in the forest ecosystems; by enhancing soil fertility, facilitating nutrient recycling, decomposing organic matter, and promoting plant health. In our first published article, some higher fungi (mushrooms) that were collected from University of Ibadan Botanical Gardens were reported. In this present study, further investigations were carried out on the diversity, distribution, and ecological significance of other higher fungi collected from the University of Ibadan campus. The collections were done between April and October 2024. The research was aimed in identifying macro-fungal species, estimate their population, and determining their preferred habitats .Findings from this study emphasized the ecological importance of fungi in nutrient cycling, decomposition, and soil enrichment. In addition to the twenty four( 24 ) already reported higher fungi in Part 1 of this study, additional twenty one (21)new genera of macrofungi were collected ,characterized and reported in this present investigation. The new fungi group in Part2 of this study includ the Agarics, Auricularias Lycoperdons , Clavarias ,Polypores and Craterellas .These fungi play important roles in forest ecosystem, food production and medicines .The significance of the of the study were discussed.