Fungi & Soil Health: An Underground Conversation
Murrumbidgee Landcare addresses mycology knowledge gap and fosters soil health and ecosystem resilience across the region.
Capacity building - LEP23_036_LLC6_4
The issue
Relative to plants and animals, the diversity and significance of fungi is little known. Fungi are frequently referred to as the “Forgotten Kingdom”, yet they 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. Fungi’s often underestimated importance and widespread lack of awareness hampers thorough ecological assessments and effective conservation efforts.
The solution
Murrumbidgee Landcare Inc. tackled the significant knowledge gap around fungi by running specialised workshops led by ecologist and environmental photographer Alison Pouliot. The “Fungi & Soil Health: An Underground Conversation” workshop series, held throughout the Riverina, aimed to boost understanding of the Kingdom Fungi—including identification basics, ecological importance, cultural connections, and their use in land restoration. Participants also took part in hands-on soil pit discussions to better understand and improve soil health. This initiative immersed people in the crucial roles fungi play, ultimately equipping citizen scientists to gather data and broaden our shared understanding of these vital organisms.
The impact
The series of workshops contributed to increased regional mycology and soil health understanding, addressing the long-standing neglect of fungi as a critical component of our ecosystem. Participants gained greater knowledge of 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, attendees also learnt various cultural aspects of fungi, such as edibility and toxicity, and their use in land restoration. Combining an interactive soil pit discussion complimented soil health education ultimately leading to greater ecosystem resilience across the landscape.
Key facts
- Esteemed ecologist and environmental photographer facilitator Alison Pouliot
- A series of three workshops across the region
- Broadened collective knowledge
- Made possible with the support of Riverina Local Land Services