Ecological world

      As aerobic organisms, wood fungi produce CO2, water, and energy by respira-tion and need therefore air oxygen . The energy production from wood, if only cellulose is consumed, is shown in Table 3.4. Aerobes, however, do not respire carbohydrates totally, but use intermediates for their metabolism. Fungal activity is affected by the composition of the gaseous phase.  Usually wood decay decreases at low 02 and high CO2 content, respectively. The 02 Table 3.4. Energy production from wood cellulose Assuming that 1 kg dry wood contains 48.6% cellulose: 1 mol glucose (180 g) yields 2,835 kJ, 180 g glucose correspond to 162 g cellulose [162 + 18; (1 mol H2O used for hydrolysis)], 3 x 162 = 486, 486 g cellulose yield 8,505 kJ (2,025 kcal)  content in the wood of living oak trees varied season-dependently from 1-4% and the CO2-content from 15-20% (Jensen 1969).  There are various reactions occurring in wood fungi that require oxy-gen, such as degradation of lignin, oxidative po

Environmental activist and Academy Award®-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio and Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Fisher Stevens premier their documentary film,  Before the Flood , a compelling account of the powerful changes occurring on our planet due to climate change. Before the Flood  will appear in theaters in NYC and LA starting October 21, and air globally on the  National Geographic Channel starting October 30.