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Fungi as Ecosystem Engineer Species of the Pannonian Grasslands: The Effect of Fungal Fairy Rings on Grassland Vegetation

Author

Listed:
  • János Balogh

    (Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

  • Károly Penksza

    (Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

  • Zoltán Kende

    (Department of Agronomy, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

  • Tünde Szabó-Szöllösi

    (Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

  • Gabriella Fintha

    (Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

  • Balázs Palla

    (Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

  • Viktor Papp

    (Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

  • Nikoletta Hetényi

    (Department of Animal Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Rottenbiller Str. 50, 1077 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Letícia Moravszki

    (Department of Animal Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Rottenbiller Str. 50, 1077 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Ágnes Freiler-Nagy

    (Department of Animal Hygiene, Herd Health and Mobile Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, István Str. 2, 1078 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Szilvia Orosz

    (Department of Animal Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Rottenbiller Str. 50, 1077 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Adrienn Gréta Tóth

    (Department of Animal Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Rottenbiller Str. 50, 1077 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Eszter Saláta-Falusi

    (Department of Botany, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary)

  • Zsombor Wagenhoffer

    (Department of Animal Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Rottenbiller Str. 50, 1077 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Szilárd Szentes

    (Department of Animal Nutrition and Clinical Dietetics, University of Veterinary Medicine Budapest, Rottenbiller Str. 50, 1077 Budapest, Hungary)

Abstract

Fungal fairy rings (FFRs) are circular patterns primarily formed by basidiomycete fungi. These structures significantly influence grassland ecosystems by mediating nutrient cycling, altering soil microbial communities, and driving shifts in plant community composition. The present study investigates FFR formed by Agaricus xanthodermus in a Pannonian sandy grassland, with a focus on vegetation structure, productivity, and diversity. Field surveys conducted along transects across FFR quantified plant species cover, height, and additional ecological parameters. The findings demonstrate that FFR alters species dominance, reduces diversity at the ring edge, and based on ecological indicator values of plant species it increases soil nitrogen, and modify the movement of water and nutrients within the soil. Collectively, these results suggest that FFRs function as ecosystem engineers, shaping ecological processes and affecting the agricultural potential of semi-natural grasslands.

Suggested Citation

  • János Balogh & Károly Penksza & Zoltán Kende & Tünde Szabó-Szöllösi & Gabriella Fintha & Balázs Palla & Viktor Papp & Nikoletta Hetényi & Letícia Moravszki & Ágnes Freiler-Nagy & Szilvia Orosz & Adrie, 2026. "Fungi as Ecosystem Engineer Species of the Pannonian Grasslands: The Effect of Fungal Fairy Rings on Grassland Vegetation," Land, MDPI, vol. 15(3), pages 1-18, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:15:y:2026:i:3:p:453-:d:1892014
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