The crucial roles of ascomycetes in wood litter decomposition: Current knowledge, diversity and function

Plant litter, encompassing fallen branches and leaves, are integral component of forest ecosystems, serving as a critical substrate for microbial colonization and activities.They are primarily decomposed by diverse microorganisms, among them fungi which contribute to the carbon and nutrient cycling in different habitats.Moreover, the diversity of fungi, particularly ascomycetes, is crucial for maintaining ecosystem dynamics and resilience.These fungi can decompose complex organic compounds, which are abundant in wood litter.Wood litter significantly affects biodiversity, carbon storage, and nutrient dynamics, thereby facilitating nutrient recycling and consequently promoting plant growth.Despite the importance of ascomycetes in wood litter decomposition, their diversity and specific ecological functions are difficult to establish.This review highlights the importance of ascomycetes in the decomposition of wood litter, emphasizing their distribution and diversity as fundamental aspects of the ecosystem.Furthermore, this review aims at consolidating existing knowledge on the diversity and ecological roles of ascomycetes in terrestrial wood litter decomposition and identifying gaps in current knowledge.Future research focusing on novel comprehensive molecular approaches coupled with studies on the diversity and host-recurrence of ascomycetes are requisite.Additionally, long-term monitoring of the decomposition process under different environmental conditions is required to properly understand the biological and ecological roles of this group of fungi.