Fungi are essential players in all ecosystems on all of Earth's continents, and in seas, oceans and freshwater ecosystems, as well as holding important roles in agriculture, food and medicine.
Mycologists from across the globe came together on Sunday 6th October 2024 to deliver a free webinar of fungus talks, to celebrate UK Fungus Day. Twelve international speakers gave talks about fungi, delivered online in 3 sessions across world time zones. The seminar was created and chaired by Prof Lynne Boddy, University of Cardiff.
Session 1
- The giant mycoheterotrophic orchid, Erythrorchis altissima: its unique mycorrhizal association with wood-decay fungi. Yuki Ogura-Tsujita, Saga University, Japan
- The importance of large and old trees for fungi, and fungi for large and old trees. Elle Bowd, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
- Fungal focus from Northeast of Thailand and sustainable production of edible fungi in the Mekong Region. Cherdchai Phosri, Nakhon Phanom University, Thailand
- How many species of fungi are there in the world and China. Yu-Cheng Dai, Beijing Forestry University, China (recording not available)
- All speakers: questions and discussion
Session 2
- Fungi in the African civilizations: history, present, conservation and future perspectives. Ahmed M. Abdel-Azeem, University of Suez Canal, Egypt
- Deciphering molecular mechanisms of fungal iron homeostasis: a multi-omics approach. Deborah Louisa Narh Mensah, Stanford University, USA
- Combing citizen science, traditional taxonomy and barcoding to expand knowledge on fungal biodiversity in Denmark – and beyond. Jacob Heilmann-Clausen, Denmark
- From Bugs to Drugs. Elaine Bignell, University of Exeter, UK
- All speakers: questions and discussion
Session 3
- From Arthrophaga to Zoopthora: a world tour of the diversity of fungi that consume arthropods. Matthew Kasson, West Virginia University, USA
- Historic uses of forest fungi. Robert Blanchette, University of Minnesota, USA
- Diversity, ecological patterns and utilization of deep-sea fungi in Mexico. Patricia Velez, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico
- Mycorrhizal biogeography: mapping fungal biodiversity and symbioses at risk. Michael van Nuland, Society for Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN)
- All speakers: questions and discussion