Fungi Field Trip Post by Nhy Tran

Figure 1. A small tree branch covered with lichens

Lichens are mutualism organisms that need to live close with a photosynthetic organism (cyanobacteria or green algae) to survive. the The examples in Figure 1 are fruticose lichens (known as witch's hair lichens) and foliose lichens (leaf-like structure). Generally, the symbiotic relationship between a photosynthetic organism and lichens is the photosynthetic organism provides lichens carbon and energy; while, the fungus supplies minerals and protection the green algae or cyanobacteria in its mycelium. 

Figure 2

During the field trip, I also learned about the mutualistic relationship between plant and fungi. Mycorrhiza under the ground shows the associate benefits between vascular plant roots and their symbiotic fungi. In a mycorrhizal association, the fungal mycelia throughout the forest use their extensive network of hyphae that contact with soil to transport water and minerals from the soil into the plant, which increases a plant's nutrient uptake. In exchange, the plants supplies fungi with nutrients.

Figure 3. Fungi growing on a dead  tree log

The primary decomposers of a dead tree log (Figure 3) are fungi because they use special enzyme to break down the wood. This process is very important because the nutrients that release by breaking down a dead tree log goes back into the soil for other living organisms. 

Overall, the field trip was very interesting and fun because I prefer to go out and see different types of fungi and mushrooms in a forest rather than sitting in the lab room and look at slides.