Taken from : https://profiles.cardiff.ac.uk/staff/boddyl

Research

I am a decomposition ecologist / fungal ecologist, particularly fascinated by the activities of the mycelia of woodland fungi. I have researched the ecology of wood decomposition and wood decay fungi since the mid-1970s. I have pioneered work on the fungal community structure and dynamics in wood. My team has investigated the outcome of fungal interactions, how these change depending on biotic and abiotic factors, and have used this information to explain patterns of fungal community structure and development. A deeper understanding of interactions has come from studying gene expression during interspecific interactions and production of volatile and diffusible organic compounds during mycelial interactions. We have revealed the foraging ecology, network architecture and key roles of cord-forming basidiomycetes in nutrient translocation and wood decay in forest ecosystems, and made major advances in understanding the effects of invertebrate grazing on these processes. Recent work has revealed major phenological trends in fungal fruiting and distribution, with major implications for mycelial activity and ecosystem functioning. We are currently focussing on decay communities in the centre of veteran trees, ash dieback and climate change.

Education and Outreach

For many people, when fungi are mentioned their first reaction is "can I eat it or will it kill me?" or "yuk! How can we get rid of them?; they rot our food and homes, kill our plants and even sometimes grow on us". I am determined to change this view, since without fungi the terrestrial ecosystems of planet Earth would not work. There is very much more to them than just the fruit bodies that reveal themselves occasionally. Hence, I am an ardent communicator of the mysteries and importance of the amazing hidden Kingdom of Fungi to students and to the general public, both in the UK and internationally, including TV and radio programmes, popular talks, videos, films, articles, books, shows and exhibitions.