What effect does White Rot fungi have on wood color?

White Rot fungi have a unique ability to decompose wood primarily by breaking down lignin, which allows them to alter the appearance of the wood significantly. In this process, the wood takes on a lighter color, often being described as white or very light in hue. This characteristic is due to the fact that as the fungi digest the lignin, they remove the compounds that give wood its darker colors, typically associated with the remaining cellulose.

The ability of White Rot fungi to break down lignin effectively removes not only the structural integrity of the wood but also its color. This results in the wood appearing bleached or white, which is a distinguishing feature of this type of fungal decay. Understanding this transformation is critical, especially in fields such as pest control and forestry management, as it signifies the presence of degradation that could have structural implications for wooden structures.