Microview of wood under degradation by bacteria and fungi

Wood is colonized and degraded by a variety of microorganisms including bacteria, moulds, blue stain and wood rotting fungi (i.e. soft-, white and brown rots). The manner by which wood is degraded varies according to the organisms involved, type of wood substrate, nature of environment as well as interactive competition. Over the years microscopy (e.g. light and electron) has played a major role in improving our understanding of the morphological aspects of biological decay and has been useful as a tool for understanding fundamental aspects of the biochemical mechanisms of attack in-situ. This review outlines some of the major aspects in our knowledge of the micro- and ultrastructural changes which take place in wood during decay and where microscopy has aided this understanding.