Japanese forests are facing serious threats linked to climate change. These threats include tree decline and mortality due to various tree pathogenic fungi, such as Grosmannia aoshimae, Dryadomyces quercivorus, Phytophthora cinnamomi and Fomitoporia spp. This review discusses their impact on Japanese forests in the context of climate change. Two species of ophiostomataceous fungi (G. aoshimae and D. quercivorus) are closely associated with the bark beetle, Polygraphus proximus, and the ambrosia beetle, Platypus quercivorus, respectively. Climate change has contributed to the abundance and/or widespread distribution of these beetles, and has resulted in the mass mortalities of Abies maresii and Quercus spp. in Japan. Phytophthora cinnamomi is well-known as a serious tree pathogen. However, it had been thought to have only a limited impact on tree species in Japan. Recently, this pathogen has been found in more northern areas of Japan and is expected to become a more serious problem. The distribution of Fomitoporia torreyae and F. punctata is determined by their respective optimum growth temperatures, and climate change will affect the distribution of these two fungal species. This suggests that tree decline and mass mortality will become more frequent. The function and mechanism of the associated pathogens and other microbes in forests should be elucidated in order to adapt to climate change and minimize their undesirable effects. In this situation, the role of culture collections and related organizations will become more important than ever.
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