NEW COURSE!
FALL 2005
PS 480 ECOLOGY OF FUNGI
Fungi are every where, and play critical roles in all ecosystems on earth, thus their ecology as decomposers, symbionts, mycorrhizal mutualists, and parasites is of great interest!
This course emphasizes the fascinating roles of the higher fungi in natural and managed systems, focusing on forest habitats. Fungi are major players in carbon sequestration, nutrient recycling, and succession. They are symbionts of algae, cyanobacteria, trees, shrubs, forbs, orchids, ants, termites, beetles, and small mammals. Fungi are unique organisms that require special methods of study, and both traditional techniques and more recent molecular methods will be presented. This course seeks to help students discover the fascinating world of fungi with first hand observation and a look at the recent literature on fungal ecology.
When: MW from 1-3 pm (lecture, demonstrations, short field trips, discussions)
1 or w 2 longer field trips to nearby forests to observe fungi in their natural habitats.
Where: Plant Growth Center & Montana's Great Outdoors!
Instructor: Dr. Cathy Cripps, PSPP, CCripps@montana.edu, 994-5226, or stop by the lab: 109 AgBioscience Building or my office 309 AgBioscience.
Prerequisite: an introductory biology course or permission of the instructor.|
Fungi as
decomposers of wood, symbionts on tree roots, as food for animals…
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COME JOIN US!