The Project

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The Mycology Research Project aims to train citizen scientists to:

study, research and contribute data on the taxonomy and ecosystem function of Queensland fungi
raise awareness about the benefits of mycology (the studying of fungi)
make this science easily accessible to the Queensland community.

You can learn a variety of field and laboratory techniques from expert mycologists to harness and understand the power of fungi through:

surveying
collection of species
isolation
identification
cultivation
data collection and recording
experimental applications of beneficial fungi in the field and nurseries
product development using fungi

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Project Rationale

Fungi play critical roles in the functioning of healthy ecosystems

driving nutrient cycling
providing food for a variety of wildlife
maintaining the health of plants and
sequestering carbon into soils.

However, fungi are one of the least studied groups of organisms in Australia.

The total estimated number of fungi occurring in Australia is at around 250,000 species with only about 5% described so far. Fungi are often not considered in fauna and flora surveys, and mycology as a degree has not been provided in Australian universities since the 70s. Yet fungi are primary indicators of ecosystem health and offer tremendous solutions to pollution clean-up, ecological restoration, food security and climate change.

Citizen Science

Woodfordia Inc. has a strong focus on community education and citizen science, collaborating with the Queensland Mycological Society (QMS), Soil C Quest and the Australasian Mycological Society in delivering the project, to develop

Opportunities to study mycology
Programs in applied mycology
Deeper understanding of the role of beneficial fungi in ecosystems
Application of fungi to restore degraded landscapes

Project Activities

All activities will take place at Woodfordia and other selected sites and will include:

Educational presentations
Fungal forays
Recording of data in the field
Botanical photography
Specimen identification, preparation for submission to the Qld Herbarium
Recording collection details and submission to iNaturalist

Mycological Laboratory Techniques

Button mushroom spores x400 magnification

Button mushroom spores at 400 times magnification

Laboratory safety and techniques

safety and personal protection equipment
sterile laboratory techniques
safe chemical usage
media preparation methods
planning and construction of DIY laboratory

Fungal study techniques

microscopy
isolation of fungi from decaying wood and plants
culturing techniques

Experimental methodologies

hypothesis testing
experimental design
data gathering, recording and presentation methods
data assessment and statistical analysis

Growth trials and documentation in:

microcosms, Petri dishes and terrariums
nursery pots
field studies

Project Outcomes

Improved awareness of citizen science in mycological studies

- Easily accessible communication and data sharing for citizen science projects
- Growing citizen scientist community through collaboration with scientists
- Engaging scientists with citizen scientists during training in gathering data using scientific methods
- Applying scientific methodologies and equipment in the study of fungi by citizen scientists
- Understanding of the role of fungi in land restoration, plant health, cropping systems and revegetation efforts

Mycorrhizal fungi (root symbiotic)

Providing methodologies and expertise in citizen mycology developing DIY mycology projects
Anticipated discovery of new species of fungi during forays
Isolating native species of plant-beneficial fungi for use in nurseries and land restoration
Researching beneficial plant-symbiotic fungi to combat climate change through carbon sequestration into soils
Creation of a documentary video covering the project and its outcomes

When and Where

The Mycology Research Project day is held at Woodfordia on the Saturday before the last Sunday of the month. You will receive an invitation a week or so before each event.