Mushroom Mania

My favorite part about the field trip had to be both learning about the different functions of fungus, as well as learning about the different species of fungus.  The most memorable was the boletus, as they had unique spore pores rather than gills.  They also had a large and meaty structure compared to many skinny stalked mushrooms.  The two types that were highlighted were the saprophytes and the symbionts.  There were some examples of parasitic fungus, but they weren't as much of a highlight for me in comparison.  Some examples were given with douglas firs having some sort of fungal infection, and bleeding out sap as a defense system to flush out the contamination and possibly even scabbing over the wound.  Correct me if I'm wrong, but i believe a young forest or the beginning of a forest will contain more saprophytes, which break down organic matter and make the nutrients available to plants.  These are found more commonly in disturbed areas whether that would be the edge of a forest or simply where a nurse log has fallen.  The symbionts on the other hand are connecting trees and other plants within a forest, acting as a network.  They help maintain balance and create a communication between different parts of a forest, and also acts as a immune system booster.  Some consider this connection comparable to the internet, neurons or even to function as the mind of a forest.  The shapes and patterns between the three systems are strikingly similar, and can be seen below.