NPS Photo. Richmond National Battlefield Park is home to a diverse fungal population. The park's forests - with their many wetlands, streams, and seeps - create protected, moisture-rich environments well-suited to fungal growth. Mushrooms and other fungi play an important role in the park's ecosystems. These organisms get their energy by breaking down organic materials; as part of this process, they return valuable nutrients to the soil. This is especially important in older forests, such as those at Gaines' Mill, where plant growth depends heavily on the availability of soil nutrients. |
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Last updated: January 26, 2022