Course
Polypores are dominant wood decomposers in boreal forests, and the basis of the saprobic wood web. Intensive forest management has led into decline of polypore populations and species diversity, causing many species to be classified as threatened in national red list assessments. As a compact, relatively easily identifiable species group, polypores are used as indicators of high conservation value forests in Nordic countries. Standardized indicator species lists for old-growth forest surveys have been developed and widely utilized in Finland, Sweden, Norway and Russia.
During this course we will learn how to identify polypores and selected corticioid fungi, focusing on indicator species. We will familiarize ourselves with the concept of indicator species and indexes in practical use. The course includes lectures and daily field work in different types of forests, including old-growth forests. We will emphasize macroscopic and field identification skills, but optional instruction for microscopic identification is available.
Teachers: Otto Miettinen, Olli Manninen, Tuomo Niemelä
Organizer: Dmitry Schigel
Target group: Master and PhD level students in biology and forestry. The participants must have basic understanding of structure and biology of fungi; previous knowledge of polypore identification is beneficial but not necessary.
Examination: Identification exam
Suggested advance reading:
Indicator fungi in forest protection, Finland. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indicator_fungi_in_forest_protection,_Finland
Niemelä T, Wallenius T, Kotiranta H (2002) The kelo tree, a vanishing substrate of specified wood-inhabiting fungi. Polish Botanical Journal 47 (2):91-101. http://bomax.botany.pl/pubs-new/#article-763
Nitare J (2000) Signalarter. Indikatorer på skyddsvärd skog. Flora över kryptogamer. Skogsstyrelsen förlag, Jönköping.
Andersson L, Alexeeva NM, Kuznetsova ES (eds.) 2009: Survey of biologically valuable forests in North-Western European Russia. Vol. 2. Identification manual of species to be used during survey at stand level. http://www.pro-natura.net/publikationer.shtml
Course credit: 2 ECTS
Travel, accommodation and food: Bus transportation from & to Helsinki railway station via airport is provided. ForBio members will be covered for room (max 6 nights) and board (max 5 days) at Lammi during the course. In addition, ForBio members based in Norway will be covered for travel expenses. NB Travel to Helsinki from Copenhagen, Gothenburg and Stockholm is inexpensive. ForBio associates are encouraged to participate, but will need to cover their own expenses.
Application: Apply here. Make sure to write a good motivation in the application, because selection will be based on this. Quota: ~ 15 people. Deadline is June 20.