A Walk Through the Forest

Questions: 

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

• Discuss at least 2 organisms (fungi, plant, animal) that you saw on the fungi field trip. Tell us at least one thing you learned about that organism.

After I took pictures of Figure 1 and 2, the instructor identified them but I can only remember the name of Figure 1. She called it a saprobe mushroom. She said that it decomposes dead things to live. After that I found some lichen that was on a twig (Figure 3). After this weeks lab, I believe that it is called Foliose Lichen. She also identified Figure 4 and I remember the name had to do with grapes.

• Did you learn something about fungi or plants that surprised you?

The thing that I remember most that I learned during the trip was the PhD way to pronounce fungi. Fun-jai. I also remember the tip about identifying a salmonberry plant. The leaves will fold back to form a butterfly shape.

• Reflection: What was something that you observed on the fungi field trip? What was something you learned?

I observed that we started the field trip on the edge of the forest and she told me that we were standing on top of the mycelium network. 

• Write at least 3 scientific questions based on your observation.

1. How does this mycelium network react to extra wet conditions like floods?
2. How does the health of the forest depend on this mycelium network?
3. How long has the saprobe mushroom been living for?

• Write 1 hypothesis based on the questions above.

The mycelium network would prosper after the flood due to its preference for humid weather.