What can fungi tell us about the health of a rainforest?
Join Sam as she shares insights from a fascinating research project exploring the hidden world of fungi at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. By combining DNA sequencing with information about plants, soils and forest habitats, the study investigated how fungal communities vary across different vegetation types and environmental conditions.
Sam will discuss some of the key findings, as well as the challenges scientists face when studying these often-overlooked organisms. She will also highlight how ongoing research at Mary Cairncross is helping to address these questions and deepen our understanding of the vital role fungi play in healthy ecosystems.
This work forms part of a growing effort to include fungi in conservation planning and ecological monitoring, helping to build a more complete picture of biodiversity at the reserve.
| Date | Time | Registration |
| Friday 4 September | 3.30 - 5pm | $5.50 per person, book now via Eventbrite |
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Sam Kelly is an alumna of the University of New England with previous experience in bush regeneration. As part of her Graduate Certificate in Environmental Science, Sam undertook a research project investigating leaf-litter fungal communities across rainforest, palm, swamp and revegetated rainforest sites at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, using fungal DNA sequencing (PacBio ITS). The project has been conducted under the supervision of Dr Sapphire McMullan-Fisher.