Fungal Conservation & Biodiversity
Why fungi need conservation, how threatened species are assessed, and how habitats and policy can protect fungal diversity.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungal Conservation & Biodiversity
- 1.2Type of qualification
- Course
- 1.3Provider / endorsing institution
- Fungaris – International Institute of Mycology, School of Fungal Ecology & Regenerative Agriculture. A Fungaris programme of its own, not endorsed by a university.
- 1.4Mode of study
- Online, with live sessions in a small group, recordings and a virtual campus.
- 1.5Duration (hours / ECTS credits)
- 3 months (12 weeks) · 72 hours in total · 6 modules of 12 hours · 12 live sessions of 2 hours. ECTS credits: not applicable (Fungaris own programme, not an official university degree).
- 1.6Language
- English
- 1.7Start and end dates / intake
- Next intake: 11 January 2027 to 2 April 2027. Enrolment closes on 4 January 2027. Following intake: 8 March 2027. How intakes work →
Overview
2.1Programme description
Fungi are among the least protected groups of living things, even though they underpin forests, grasslands and soils. This course explains why fungi need conservation attention, beginning with their place in global biodiversity and the threats they face from habitat loss, nitrogen pollution, drainage and a changing climate. It then introduces the IUCN Red List process as applied to fungi, the use of indicator species and the concept of Important Fungus Areas.
Recent years have seen fungi recognised more explicitly in conservation strategies, and organisations increasingly need people who can speak for them in planning and policy. The course suits conservationists, ecologists and policy staff who already work on nature but have little fungal background. Practical modules cover habitat management, such as deadwood retention, grassland grazing and protection of old-growth stands, and how fungi are, or are not, covered by current conservation law. In the final project, students prepare a conservation brief for a chosen site or species, setting out its fungal value, key threats and recommended management or policy actions.
2.2Why it matters / what need it meets
It meets a practical need: applied, up-to-date knowledge in ecology, useful in areas such as nature conservation, environmental policy and public administration, protected area management, ecological consultancy.
Mycology is moving fast and good practical training is still scarce. This programme gives you a structured path, taught live by people who work in the field, so you can apply what you learn with judgement and safety.
Objectives and competences
3.1General objective
To finish the programme able to apply its content professionally and with judgement. In short:
Why fungi need conservation, how threatened species are assessed, and how habitats and policy can protect fungal diversity.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Fungi in Global Biodiversity; Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution and Climate.
- Put them into practice: IUCN Red List Assessments for Fungi; Indicator Species and Important Fungus Areas.
- Apply everything to a real case: Habitat Management for Fungal Conservation; Fungi in Conservation Policy and Law.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain why fungi are under-represented in conservation planning.
- Identify the main threats to fungal populations and habitats.
- Apply IUCN Red List criteria to a fungal species case.
- Use indicator species to evaluate a site's fungal conservation value.
- Draft habitat management and policy recommendations for fungi.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Conservationists, ecologists and policy staff.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior mycology is required; a general background in ecology or conservation is helpful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Conservation officer with a fungal focus
- Ecologist in a protected area team
- Policy adviser for biodiversity strategies
- Project coordinator in a conservation NGO
- Species assessor contributing to red lists
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Fungi in Global Biodiversity | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Threats: Habitat Loss, Pollution and Climate | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | IUCN Red List Assessments for Fungi | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Indicator Species and Important Fungus Areas | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Habitat Management for Fungal Conservation | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Fungi in Conservation Policy and Law | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| Total | 72 |
6 modules × 12 hours = 72 hours: 24 hours of live sessions, and the rest for campus study, exercises and the final project.
5.2Content by module
Hover or tap a module to follow the path from the first session to the final project. Open a module to see the topics it covers.
- How many fungi are there
- Fungi in ecosystem function
- The conservation gap for fungi
- Habitat loss and fragmentation
- Nitrogen deposition and pollution
- Climate change pressures
- Red List criteria applied to fungi
- Data sources for assessments
- Writing and reviewing an assessment
- Indicator species for habitat quality
- Important Fungus Areas
- Using indicators in site evaluation
- Deadwood and old-growth retention
- Grassland management for fungi
- Protecting mycorrhizal host trees
- Fungi in international biodiversity frameworks
- National legislation and protected species
- Advocacy and stakeholder engagement
5.3Company placement
This programme does not include a company placement. Practice is built into every module through exercises, case studies and the final project.
5.4Final project
A conservation brief for a chosen fungal site or species with threats and recommended actions.
Methodology
6.1How it is taught
- Live online sessions, usually weekly, with a working professional and a small group.
- Recordings of every session, so you can catch up if work or time zones get in the way.
- Exercises and real case studies in every module.
- Tutoring: your tutor answers questions and gives feedback on your exercises and project.
6.2Platform and resources
A Moodle virtual campus with session recordings, readings, exercises and forums for each module. You need a computer, an up-to-date browser and a stable connection; a webcam and microphone are recommended.
Technical requirements →6.3Estimated weekly workload
About 6 hours a week for 12 weeks: one 2-hour live session on a weekday evening, plus study and exercises on the campus at your own pace.
Assessment
7.1Assessment system and weighting
Students are assessed through participation in live sessions, module exercises such as a practice Red List assessment and a final brief reviewed by the tutor.
7.2Requirements to pass
- Complete every module, by attending the live sessions or watching the recordings.
- Hand in the module exercises.
- Have your final project approved by your tutor.
Teaching team
8.1Academic direction
At Fungaris, the Ecology school coordinates the content and quality of this programme. The academic director of each intake is named in the intake guide.
8.2Faculty
Taught by professionals who work in the field. The tutor for each intake is confirmed before the start.
Meet our faculty →Certificate
9.1Certificate awarded
Course Certificate
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
9.2Issuing body / recognition
Issued by Fungaris (operated by Nexora Generation, S.L.) as a digital certificate. It is a Fungaris certificate of its own: it is not an official university degree and does not award ECTS credits.
About our certificates →Admission and enrolment
10.1Admission process (steps)
- Send your request through the form or write to admissions.
- Admissions reviews your profile and confirms the start date, the session schedule and the fee.
- You secure your place with full payment or a 40% reservation.
- You receive your campus access and welcome guide before the first session.
10.2Documents required
- A valid identity document.
- Contact and billing details (personal or company).
10.3Deadlines
Enrolment for the intake starting on 11 January 2027 is open until 4 January 2027, or until the group is full (maximum 20 students).
10.4Fee and payment options
Fee: £340
- Full payment before the start: £272 (20% reduction).
- 40% reservation (£136) and 3 monthly instalments of £68.
10.5Grants, discounts and funding
Discounts: 10% for Fungaris alumni and 15% for groups of three or more people from the same organisation. Discounts cannot be combined with each other or with the full-payment reduction.
Your employer can pay for the programme and receive the invoice in the company name. Whether a public or employer training budget can cover the fee depends on your country, so check with them.
10.6Cancellation policy
The conditions for cancelling, withdrawing or moving to a later intake are explained in our cancellation policy and in your enrolment confirmation. Nothing there limits your rights under the consumer law that applies to you.
Cancellation and refunds →Additional information
11.1Frequently asked questions
Do I need experience to study Fungal Conservation & Biodiversity?
No prior mycology is required; a general background in ecology or conservation is helpful.
How is Fungal Conservation & Biodiversity taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Students are assessed through participation in live sessions, module exercises such as a practice Red List assessment and a final brief reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A conservation brief for a chosen fungal site or species with threats and recommended actions.
What certificate do I get?
On completing the programme and its project, Fungaris issues a Course Certificate. Fungaris certificates are the institute's own. Whether an employer, school or authority recognises them depends on that organisation and on local rules in each country.
What can I study after Fungal Conservation & Biodiversity?
The natural next step is Diploma in Mycorrhizal Agriculture.
11.2Alumni testimonials
We only publish verified testimonials from real students. This programme does not have any published yet; they will appear here once its first intakes finish.
11.3Admissions contact
Write to info@fungaris.institute or use the contact form. Admissions answers in your language.
Read before you start.
Keep branching.
From our species guide.
Not a foodAmphibian chytrid fungusBatrachochytrium dendrobatidisOther fungi
EdibleCaesar's mushroomAmanita caesareaGilled mushrooms
Not a foodCaterpillar fungusOphiocordyceps sinensisOther fungi
EdibleCoral tooth fungusHericium coralloidesTooth fungi
EdibleMarch mushroomHygrophorus marzuolusGilled mushrooms
EdibleMatsutakeTricholoma matsutakeGilled mushrooms
EdibleWhite truffleTuber magnatumTruffles
Not a foodZombie-ant fungusOphiocordyceps unilateralisOther fungiJoin the next intake.
Pay in full with a 20% reduction, or reserve your place with 40% and pay the rest in monthly instalments. All prices are stated in pounds sterling (GBP).