Information from bacterial degradation studies of 60's and 70's was reviewed by Nilsson in 1982. The application of electron microscopy to this area in recent years has provided much useful information and has eliminated earlier scepticism among workers about the ability of bacteria to degrade lignified wood cell walls. Studies using transmission electron microscopy together with those employing 14C-labelled lignins have confirmed that certain types of bacteria have a capacity to degrade intact wood, including timbers which have high lignin or extractive content and are considered naturally durable. It has not been possible thus far to isolate wood degrading bacteria in pure culture and thus their physiology and taxonomic affiliations remain unknown. Laboratory studies using mixed cultures of these organisms and observations of decaying timbers from natural environments have shown the degradation to be of three main types on the basis of microscopic appearances of degradation patterns. The three types are: cavitation, erosion and tunnelling. These patterns and bacteria which produce them during their attack of wood will be described in detail.

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