Red spruce sapwood was exposed to degradation by the brown rot fungi Coniophora puteana, Postia placenta, Gloeophyllum trabeum and Serpula lacrymans for 0, 1, 2 or 3 weeks using a modified soil block assay design. Average weight losses over time ranged from 0-8.9% during this time period. Detectable changes in pH, electrical resistance and cation compostion were observed in the wood as early as 1 week. The magnitude and temporal patterns of these changes varied with the species of fungus. Near Infrared (NIR) spectroscopy was used to predict degradation with good reliability even at early stages of degradation (2-4 weeks). Principal component analysis (PCA) of the NIR spectra was used to differentiate among early decay stages associated with the four brown rot fungi tested.

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