Distribution of building-associated wood-destroying fungi in the federal state of Styria, Austria

Wood is an important construction material, but when used incorrectly it can be subjected to deterioration by wood-destroying fungi. The brown rot producing dry rot fungus (Serpula lacrymans) is by far the most dangerous wood-destroying fungus in Europe. In the present publication, 645 fungal samples from damaged wood in the federal state of Styria (Austria) were examined and recorded by isolation date, geographical location, species identification of the wood-destroying fungus, location of damage, construction method, and age and type of building. In Styria, Serpula spp. accounted for 61.5% of damages, followed by Antrodia spp. (10.7%) and the genera Gloeophyllum (8.2%), Coniophora (3.9%) and Donkioporia (1.1%). Properties in the area of the Styrian capital Graz and old buildings were more often infested by wood-destroying fungi than houses in the rural area and new constructions.