Fungi in Forestry & Forest Management

Forests depend on fungi at every stage: mycorrhizal partners feed tree roots, decomposers recycle wood and litter, and pathogens shape which trees survive. This course connects those roles to everyday forest management decisions. It covers ectomycorrhizal fungi and tree growth, the decay of deadwood and the return of nutrients, and the main pathogen groups that affect tree health. A further module examines how harvesting, thinning and fire alter fungal communities, both in the short term and over a full rotation.

With forests under pressure from climate change, new diseases and shifting markets, managers are increasingly asked to account for soil biology and biodiversity alongside timber. The course suits foresters, forest owners and ecologists who want practical understanding rather than a taxonomic catalogue. The final module looks at fungi-friendly silviculture and non-timber products such as edible mushrooms. For the final project, students review a stand or small forest they know and propose management adjustments that would better support fungal function and diversity.