Science Friday A Delicious But Invasive Mushroom Could Affect Fungal Diversity
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Sep 11, 2025 
Join Sandra Knapp, a Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum, and Aishwarya Veerabahu, a fungal ecologist and PhD candidate, as they explore fascinating intersections of science and nature. They discuss the invasive golden oyster mushroom's unexpected rise in U.S. forests and its impact on local ecosystems, emphasizing the threat to native fungal diversity. Sandra shares insights on the evolutionary journey of potatoes and tomatoes, revealing how ancient crossbreeding shaped these beloved staples we enjoy today.
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Invasive Golden Oysters Slash Fungal Diversity
- Golden oyster mushrooms introduced for cultivation have established widely in North American forests and reduce native fungal diversity by about half on colonized dead trees.
- Loss of native fungi can disrupt decay rates, species interactions, and eliminate potential medicinal compounds.
Dominance Reduces Native Species Richness
- Aishwarya Veerabahu found colonized dead trees host about half as many native fungal species compared to uncolonized trees.
- This dramatic drop indicates a dominant invasive can reorganize whole fungal communities.
Fungal Roles Anchor Forest Function
- Native fungi perform varied ecosystem roles like slow wood decay and mutualisms that support other species and habitat structure.
- Replacing them risks altering decay timing, habitat availability, and ecosystem resilience.
