Fungi in Ecological Impact Assessment
How to include fungi in ecological surveys and impact assessments for development, forestry and land management projects, from scoping and fieldwork to mitigation and reporting.
Programme identification
- 1.1Programme name
- Fungi in Ecological Impact Assessment
- 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
This course shows ecological consultants and planners how to bring fungi into impact assessment. Fungi are central to soils, woodlands and grasslands, and a growing number of species appear on national red lists and the IUCN Red List, yet they are still often left out of ecological surveys for development, forestry and land management projects. You start by examining why this happens and what is lost as a result. You then learn how to scope fungi into a project, use existing records and habitat information in a desk study, and recognise habitats likely to hold valuable fungal assemblages, such as old grasslands, ancient woodland and deadwood-rich sites.
The practical core of the course deals with survey design. You learn how to plan timing and effort when fruit bodies appear unpredictably, how to combine fruit body surveys with soil DNA methods and how to present results with honest statements of confidence. You then work through how projects can affect fungi, which avoidance, mitigation and compensation measures are realistic and how to report clearly to clients and authorities, including sharing records with biodiversity databases. Sessions are taught live by practitioners. For the final project, each student writes a fungal chapter for a mock ecological impact report based on a case site.
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 environmental consultancy, public administration, forestry and land management, nature conservation.
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 to include fungi in ecological surveys and impact assessments for development, forestry and land management projects, from scoping and fieldwork to mitigation and reporting.
3.2Specific objectives
- Build the foundations: Why Fungi Are Overlooked in Impact Assessment; Scoping, Desk Study and Valuing Fungal Sites.
- Put them into practice: Survey Design, Timing and Effort; Field and DNA Methods for Consultancy Surveys.
- Apply everything to a real case: Impacts, Mitigation and Compensation for Fungi; Reporting, Data Sharing and Working with Clients.
- Complete a final project reviewed by your tutor.
3.3Competences you will gain
- Explain why fungi matter in ecological impact assessment.
- Scope fungi into a project and carry out a desk study.
- Design survey timing and effort for fungi.
- Combine field and DNA methods and state their limitations.
- Recommend realistic mitigation and report findings clearly.
Student profile
4.1Who it is for (entry profile)
Ecological consultants, environmental planners and conservation officers.
4.2Entry requirements
A background in ecology or environmental science is recommended. Basic fungal identification skills are helpful but not required.
4.3Career paths (exit profile)
- Ecological consultant
- Environmental impact assessment coordinator
- Conservation officer in local or regional government
- Specialist fungal surveyor
- Land management advisor
Outcomes depend on your experience and on your local market.
Study plan
5.1Overall structure (modules and workload)
| Module | Title | Phase | Topics | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Why Fungi Are Overlooked in Impact Assessment | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 02 | Scoping, Desk Study and Valuing Fungal Sites | Foundations | 3 | 12 |
| 03 | Survey Design, Timing and Effort | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 04 | Field and DNA Methods for Consultancy Surveys | Practice | 3 | 12 |
| 05 | Impacts, Mitigation and Compensation for Fungi | Application & project | 3 | 12 |
| 06 | Reporting, Data Sharing and Working with Clients | 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.
- Fungi in ecological assessment today
- Consequences of leaving fungi out
- Red lists and conservation status
- Bringing fungi into project scoping
- Desk studies and existing records
- Recognising high-value fungal habitats
- Seasonality and survey windows
- Planning survey effort
- Working with specialist surveyors
- Fruit body surveys in practice
- Soil and deadwood DNA sampling
- Confidence and limits of survey results
- Typical project impacts on fungi
- Avoidance and mitigation options
- Habitat creation, translocation and their limits
- Structure of a fungal survey report
- Sharing records with databases
- Communicating with clients and authorities
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 fungal chapter for a mock ecological impact report based on a case site, covering baseline, impacts, mitigation and recommendations.
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 and case exercises after each module. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.
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 in Ecological Impact Assessment?
A background in ecology or environmental science is recommended. Basic fungal identification skills are helpful but not required.
How is Fungi in Ecological Impact Assessment 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 and case exercises after each module. The final project is reviewed by the professor with written feedback.
What is the final project?
A fungal chapter for a mock ecological impact report based on a case site, covering baseline, impacts, mitigation and recommendations.
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 in Ecological Impact Assessment?
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).