Author(s):
Srishti Verma, Samay Tirkey, Shobhana Ramteke, Manas Kanti Deb
Email(s):
srishtisipi@gmail.com
Address:
School of Studies in Environmental Science, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
School of Studies in Environmental Science, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
School of Studies in Environmental Science, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
School of Studies in Life Sciences, Pt. Ravishankar Shukla University, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India.
*Corresponding author: srishtisipi@gmail.com
Published In:
Volume - 39,
Issue - 1,
Year - 2026
DOI:
10.52228/JRUB.2026-39-1-5 
ABSTRACT:
Fungi play a critical role in ecosystem processes, but the dynamic responses of fungi to climate change are still poorly understood. This review explores fungal phenology as a sensitive, event-scale bioindicator of environmental change. Unlike plants, the fruiting of fungi is directly controlled by external conditions, particularly by the soil moisture and temperature. Therefore, fruiting events are frequently triggered shortly after rain and are representative of short-term microclimatic conditions. Now evidence is emerging that fungal phenology is already changing in response to climate change. The fruit season is lengthening. Timing is shifting. Patterns are also becoming more unpredictable. These shifts are mediated by temperature-precipitation interactions and are heterogeneous in space and function. Changes in fruiting also affect species composition and community structure. Fungal phenology is an underutilized ecological indicator that can provide near real-time signals of soil status. It complements plant-based indicators as it captures fine scale variability often missed. Changes in fungal activity also have broader ecological implications. They can alter trophic interactions, nutrient cycling and carbon dynamics. There is more interest, but there are still big gaps. Most studies have focused on temperate regions and aboveground observations are little integrated with belowground processes. The review emphasizes the need for standardization, wider geographical coverage and integration of molecular and ecological data.
Cite this article:
Verma,Tirkey, Ramteke and Deb (2026). Fungal Phenology as an Event-Scale Indicator of Climate Variability and Ecosystem Function. Journal of Ravishankar University (Part-B: Science), 39(1), pp. 90-99. DOI:https://doi.org/10.52228/JRUB.2026-39-1-5
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