Slime, spores…fungi!

One of many sessions that will focus on species interactions at ESA’s 2013 Annual Meeting

by Nadine Lymn, ESA director of public affairs

Helvella illustration by Roo Vandegift.

Helvella illustration by Roo Vandegift.

As different from plants as plants are from animals, Fungi feature varieties that decompose dead organisms, engage in mutually beneficial relationships with other species, cause disease to plants and animals, and act as predators and parasites.  Mycologists—those who study fungi and their relationships with other organisms—note that only a fraction of Fungal species are known and that modern mycology’s potential applications to engineering and other possible contributions remain largely untapped.

Sydney Glassman

Sydney Glassman

Sydney Glassman, at the University of California, Berkeley, and Roo Vandegift, at the University of Oregon, will be talking about the marvels of mycology at the Ecological Society of America’s upcoming Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 

Roo Vandegift

Roo Vandegift

Part of the organized poster session Current Perspectives on the History of Ecology, Getting freaky with fungi: A historical perspective on the emergence of mycology, will take place on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, from 4:30 – 6:30 PM in Exhibit Hall B of the Minneapolis Convention Center.