The wood-inhabiting fungi as well as their colonization and damaging of wood are influenced by various physical/chemical and biological influences . Physical/chemical factors comprise nutrients, water, air, temperature, pH value, light, and the force of gravity. Biological influences arise because of reciprocal effects between different organisms as antagonism, synergism, and symbiosis (e.g., Rypaek 1966; Kaarik 1975; Rayner and Boddy 1988). When investigating the various factors, laboratory methods do not reflect the situa-tion under natural conditions. Often it is difficult to vary a parameter without affecting the others. The individual factors in nature do not work isolated, but strengthen or weaken themselves mutually. Table 3.1. Influences on fungal activity physical/chemical: nutrients, water, air, temperature, pH-value, light, force of gravity biological: antagonism, synergism, symbiosis Nutrients Fungi consist of about 90% water and 10% d
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