Eric van Essen - at Matuku Reserve
In this talk Peter will introduce New Zealand’s native fungi and their multiple forms and function in our Ngahere. Fungi are particularly noticeable during autumn as the main season when reproductive fruitbodies of many are produced. He will also give examples of species traditionally important to Māori, and some that are rare and threatened.
Peter is a fungal scientist (mycologist) and advocate for increased awareness and conservation of NZ’s fungi. He works for Manaaki Whenua – Landcare Research in Auckland, as Science Team Leader for 30 science staff studying Aotearoa NZ’s fungal, bacterial, plant and invertebrate biodiversity. Staff also manage five national collections and databases of these organisms, including the NZ Fungarium of dried fungal specimens and ICMP culture collection of living fungal strains. Peter is active in engaging public and school students in biodiversity awareness, for example through past BioBlitz events, a teaching resource on fungi for kura kaupapa, and annual NZ Fungal Forays. He assists DOC with fungal threat assessments, along with IUCN Red List assessments of New Zealand fungi.
Join us online via Zoom at 7.30pm:
https://forestandbird-org-nz.zoom.us/j/83160771060 Meeting ID: 831 6077 1060