LLHG 480 - Fungal Ecology: From Forest to Farm (or Garden!)

Have you ever wondered how a forest can sustain itself without fertilizers, pesticides, or tractors? Or how soil can purge itself of toxins? Spoiler alert- it's the fungi! In this class, we will use forest ecology as a template for exploring methods of fungal-friendly farming for healthy soils and crops. We will look at common agricultural problems, the shortcomings of current methods for addressing these problems, and then consider the fungal alternatives. We will also look at common contaminants in urban areas and how fungi might help us remediate our soils.