Mycology In the Mix in the Central West
Mycology In the Mix in the Central West
Five Central West Landcare Groups delivered Mycology Workshops in May with Alison Pouliot
Collaborations -
LEP23-005-CWLL-01_RLC_002
The issue
Landcare NSW and the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) are looking at ways to share information on biodiversity through four key areas:
- Increase private land conservation in areas of strategic biodiversity value.
- Deliver efficient, effective, and strategic biodiversity offset outcomes
- Support participating landholders to conserve biodiversity
- Promote public knowledge, appreciation and understanding of biodiversity and the importance of conservation.
Exploring fungi and mycology is crucial for understanding the intricate roles that these organisms play in ecosystems.
There was a need for 'hand's on' workshops to understand the interaction and significance of mycology in our natural and created systems.
The solution
This event was possible thanks to the shared work of the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust and Landcare NSW under the Private Land Conservation Matters project. Landcare NSW and the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Trust are working together to raise awareness and support private land conservation efforts across the state.
Fungi are essential for nutrient cycling, decomposition and symbiotic relationships with plants. By studying fungi, we can better manage our land, protect biodiversity, and promote sustainable agriculture. Ignoring the importance of fungi can lead to imbalances in ecosystems, decreased soil health, and loss of plant diversity. We felt that investing in mycology education was essential for preserving biodiversity and maintaining healthy ecosystems in our community.
The impact
The workshop introduced participants to the diversity of the Kingdom Fungi and the basic principles of fungus identification, including fungi from the various local habitat types and those from further afield. In addition to their ecological significance, the group also discussed various cultural aspects of fungi such as edibility and toxicity and their use in land restoration.
Relative to plants and animals, the diversity and significance of fungi is little known. Yet fungi are vital in creating and stabilising soils, nourishing and interconnecting plants, recycling nutrients, retaining and filtering water, restoring environmental damage and essentially underpinning ecosystem health and resilience.
Key facts
- Fungi are the great recyclers.
- Lignum and cellulose in wood can be broken down by fungi.
- Many of our plants rely on a symbiosis relationship with fungi. We aren’t sure of the degree of the extent of the networks.
- We often underestimate the connectivity within our ecosystems.