Replication data for article \"Characterisation of wood decay and fungal diversity in cultural heritage cable car pylons in Svalbard\"

This study employs a novel combination of methods (DNA metabarcoding, light microscopy, two methods for decay rating, moisture dynamics, and chemical analysis) to characterise wood decay in cultural heritage cable car pylons in Svalbard, offering an interdisciplinary approach for characterisation of fungal decay processes and patterns in an extreme environment, i.e. polar regions. The pylons share a uniform design but vary in age, providing a unique opportunity to examine time-dependent decay progression in wooden cultural heritage objects. Light microscopy revealed the use of both P. abies and Pinus sylvestris in the cable car pylons. As expected, the decay rate was significantly slower in aboveground wood compared to ground proximity, affecting basic density, lignin, and holocellulose content, with lignin increasing as decay advanced. Fungal community analysis using DNA metabarcoding, confirmed by light microscopy, showed a dominance of brown rot and soft rot fungi, with ground proximity samples exhibiting higher fungal diversity than those exposed aboveground. The analysis revealed 28 wood decay fungi identified for the first time in Svalbard, and 25 for the first time in polar regions. In a changing climate, this underscores the global importance of detailed characterisation of fungal decay processes and patterns in valuable wooden constructions, not only wooden cultural heritage. Additionally, it highlights the need for continuous monitoring and updating of status lists, as new species can significantly impact ecological, maintenance, and conservation strategies. The combination of a diverse array of analytical methods used in this study presents a robust and comprehensive approach for understanding microbial interactions and decay processes, surpassing the insight provided by single-method assessments.