Fungi & Climate Change Adaptation
How warming, drought and extreme events are reshaping fungal communities, and how fungi can help farms and forests adapt.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungi & Climate Change Adaptation
- 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
Climate change is already reshaping fungal communities: fruiting seasons are shifting, species ranges are moving and some pathogens are spreading into new regions. This course examines those changes and what they mean for farms and forests. It covers how warming and drought affect mycorrhizal function and decomposition, how long-term fruiting records reveal phenological shifts, and how forest and crop pathogens are responding to milder winters and new trade routes.
Adaptation planning is now a requirement for many land managers and public bodies, yet soil biology is rarely included. The course suits climate adaptation planners, farmers and foresters who want to understand both the risks and the opportunities fungi present. Later modules explore how fungi can contribute to resilience, for example through mycorrhizal support during drought, diverse soil communities and pathogen-aware species choice, and how to build soil biology into adaptation plans. For the final project, students produce an adaptation assessment for a farm, forest or landscape, identifying fungal risks, opportunities and recommended 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 agriculture, forestry, public climate adaptation, environmental 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:
How warming, drought and extreme events are reshaping fungal communities, and how fungi can help farms and forests adapt.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Climate Change and Fungal Communities; Shifts in Fruiting Phenology and Distribution.
- Put them into practice: Drought, Heat and Mycorrhizal Function; Spreading Pathogens in a Warming World.
- Apply everything to a real case: Fungi for Crop and Forest Resilience; Adaptation Planning with Soil Biology.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain how warming and drought alter fungal communities and functions.
- Interpret long-term records showing shifts in fungal phenology.
- Identify pathogen risks linked to climate change and trade.
- Describe ways fungi can increase crop and forest resilience.
- Integrate soil biology into a climate adaptation plan.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Climate adaptation planners, farmers and foresters.
4.2Entry requirements
No prior mycology is required; general familiarity with climate change concepts and land management is helpful.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Climate adaptation planner
- Farm or forest manager planning for resilience
- Biosecurity and plant health officer
- Environmental consultant on climate risk
- Policy officer for land use and climate
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Climate Change and Fungal Communities | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Shifts in Fruiting Phenology and Distribution | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Drought, Heat and Mycorrhizal Function | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Spreading Pathogens in a Warming World | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Fungi for Crop and Forest Resilience | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Adaptation Planning with Soil Biology | 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.
- Temperature, moisture and fungal activity
- Community shifts under warming
- Feedbacks to ecosystems
- Long-term fruiting records
- Changes in fruiting seasons
- Range shifts and new arrivals
- Mycorrhizae under drought stress
- Heat effects on symbiosis
- Hydraulic support through hyphae
- Pathogens favoured by warmer climates
- Trade, movement and biosecurity
- Forest disease outbreaks
- Mycorrhizae and drought-tolerant crops
- Diverse soil communities and stability
- Pathogen-aware species selection
- Assessing fungal risks and opportunities
- Including soil biology in adaptation plans
- Monitoring and review
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 climate adaptation assessment for a farm, forest or landscape identifying fungal risks and 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
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, module exercises using real climate and fungal data and a final assessment 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 Fungi & Climate Change Adaptation?
No prior mycology is required; general familiarity with climate change concepts and land management is helpful.
How is Fungi & Climate Change Adaptation taught?
Live online, in 6 modules with a working professional, a small group and a final project.
How am I assessed?
Progress is assessed through participation in live sessions, module exercises using real climate and fungal data and a final assessment reviewed by the tutor.
What is the final project?
A climate adaptation assessment for a farm, forest or landscape identifying fungal risks and 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 Fungi & Climate Change Adaptation?
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.
Join 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).