​Fungi: Ecology and Identification- HAU

This course explores the world of fungi, a kingdom abundant in diversity and pivotal to the health and functioning of ecosystems. With over 15,000 species identified within the UK alone, fungi play crucial roles as decomposers, symbionts, and pathogens, forming essential links in the web of life. This module is designed to unveil the fascinating structure, function, and life cycles of fungi, from the microscopic mycelium to the often-visible fruiting bodies that capture the imagination. Through a combination of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice, the module aims to equip learners with the skills necessary to identify fungi to genus level, cover the classification of fungi and explore the pivotal ecological roles fungi play in nutrient cycling, soil formation, and plant health.

By the end of the course, you will be able to: 

• Critically evaluate fungal diversity and phylogeny.
• Analyse fungal interactions within ecosystems.
• Demonstrate proficiency in identifying a wide range of fungi to the genus level, using both morphological features and a variety of identification keys.

Who Should Attend? – Nature enthusiasts, students, rangers, early career consultants and ecologists. This intermediate level course is open to anyone with some existing knowledge of the subject. This course is for those aged 18 and over only.
(You do not need to be a Harper Adams University student to attend this course).

Knowledge Level – Intermediate. Level descriptors can be found on the following web-page: Framework and Course Level Descriptors .

Accommodation and meals

There are three booking options which all include course tuition, evening meals and refreshments:

• Non-Resident (Breakfast and lunch not included)
• Resident (Sole Occupancy)
• Resident (Shared room- please email [email protected] to inquire about this option)

If you choose a resident booking, this includes accommodation on Friday night and Saturday night, and meals throughout the course: an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose a non-resident booking, this includes an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday before the evening session. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

Please note that bathrooms may be shared for accommodation bookings.

If we are unable to reach viable numbers for this course, we will inform you of the course cancellation 4-5 weeks prior to the course run. We would recommend when purchasing accommodation and/or travel you should take out your own insurance.

Bookings will close if course capacity is reached. 

Chris Knowles

Chris Knowles is both an ecologist and a consultant field mycologist, carrying out fungus surveys for a variety of clients. He is also an active member of his local fungus group and the recorder for Edinburgh & Lothians.

Interested in becoming a HAU student?

You can find out more about the Biological Recording and Analysis programme here.

Existing HAU Biological Recording and Analysis Students

This 2.5 day course is one of your optional modules. You will be asked to choose your modules through HAU, and then you will book your accommodation and meal options through the Field Studies Council via an online form we will share with HAU.

If are a student and need more information about this course or the booking process, please email [email protected].

The summative assessment for this module will be set by HAU and will be completed and marked after the course.

Example Timetable

Please note that this course is currently being developed for 2025 as part of the Harper Adams University ‘Biological Recording and Analysis’ course, so there may be small changes to the example timetable outlined below. Once a detailed schedule has been produced, this will be shared with participants.

Friday

• 1pm - Course begins. Mixture of classroom and field site visits
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Evening session to cement learning.

Saturday

• 10am - 5pm Mixture of classroom and field site visits, with a break for lunch.
• 6pm - Dinner
• 7pm - Evening session to cement learning.

Sunday

• 10am - 5pm Mixture of classroom and field site visits, with a break for lunch.

Lunch will likely be in the field, so please make sure you make yourself a packed lunch at the centre if you choose a residential booking, or bring a packed lunch with you if you choose a non-residential booking.

• 
  Expert Tuition
• 
  Free Wi-Fi
• 
  In Course Transport

The course has been carefully created by expert tutors and educators to help you build your knowledge and apply it within the field surrounded by like-minded individuals.

The course includes:

• Classroom learning covering the theory of the topic
• Field excursions to apply new knowledge
• Expert tuition for which the Field Studies Council is renowned
• Clear objectives and progression
• Refreshments (tea/coffee)

If you choose a resident booking, this includes accommodation on Friday night and Saturday night, and meals throughout the course: an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday, and breakfast and packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

If you choose a non-resident booking, this includes an evening meal on the Friday and Saturday before the evening session. Please bring your own packed lunch on Saturday and Sunday.

You can rest assured that the absolute best content from an expert in environmental education will be provided. In choosing a Field Studies Council course, you will be joining thousands of people who learn with us each year.

Natural History Bursaries

There are a number of natural history bursaries available to help with the cost of your course. To find out if you and your chosen course are eligible, read more here.

Student Discount

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off all Biodiversity courses.

What to Bring

• Pencil, ruler and looseleaf A4 pad, field notebook
• Sensible footwear and clothing for being outdoors
• Small bag to carry personal items
• A vacuum flask/drink bottle and a bag or a box for carrying a packed lunch.
• Simple collecting equipment such as a small pocket knife, paper bags and pots (empty film containers, margarine tubs etc.)
• Camera/phone for photography
• x10 Hand lens (if you have one)
• A laptop or other electronic device for accessing online keys (if you have one)
• Your own microscope (if you have one)

Recommended Literature

Please bring your own field guides with you if you have them.

• Collins Complete British Mushrooms and Toadstools: The essential photograph guide to Britain's fungi (Collins Complete Guides) by Paul Sterry and Barry Hughes.
• "An Initial Guide to the Identification of Mushrooms & Toadstools", book by Paul Nichol
• Online reference (e-)book, David Moore’s "21st Century Guidebook to Fungi"

Older but useful field guides:

• Buczacki, S. (1992) Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Europe. Collins
• Grunert, H. (1991) Field Guide to Mushrooms of Britain and Europe. Crowood Press
• Marcel, B. (1987) The Mushrooms and Toadstools of Britain and Northern Europe. Hodder and Stoughton
• Phillips, R. (1981) Mushrooms and other Fungi of Britain and Europe. Pan

General interest background reading:

• Merlin Sheldrake’s "Entangled Life”
• Peter Marren’s "Mushrooms: The natural and human world of British fungi" (British Wildlife Collection)
• Paul Stamets’ “Mycelium Running”

There will be a member of staff with first aid training and access to a first aid kit on site. If you have special medical or access requirements, please let us know as soon as possible so we can plan the course.