Unruly Renegades-the Fungi of Balcombe Estuary Reserves
About
Although little known, the roots of almost every plant in the Australian landscape are intimately entwined with fungi. These clandestine relationships extend beyond trees to include every orchid and most shrubs and grasses. Symbioses are the secret to success in our highly variable climate and nutrient-deficient soils.Fungi not only help plants access water and nutrients, but also increase their resistance to drought and disease. They build architecture in soils, aerate them, and allow water to gently percolate to deeper horizons. Despite this, ‘the third F’ slips through ideas about nature and conservation that focus on flora and fauna.
In this illustrated and interactive seminar Alison Pouliot will share insights from two decades spent in the field with fungi, both locally and across hemispheres, with a focus on local fungi from the Balcombe Estuary Reserves.
Location
Mount Martha House
466 Esplanade, Mount Martha Victoria 3934