1. PBIO 8360 - Fungal Ecology

2. Prerequisite: PATH(PBIO) 4200/6200-4200L/6200L.

3. The role of fungi in the environment. Topics include fungal populations; biotic 
interactions with plants, insects, and other fungi; decomposition and nutrient 
cycling; fungal biomass and productivity; fungi in extreme environments

4. Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of fungi in the 
environment, including their interactions with plants, insects, other fungi and 
their contributions to decomposition and nutrient cycling.  Students will gain 
knowledge about diverse fungi as components of successional studies, symbiotic 
interactions, and inhabitants of extreme environments

The course syllabus is a general plan for the course; deviations announced
To the class by the instructor may be necessary.

Symbiotic Interactions 
     Mycorrhizae
	Evolution of the association
	Development and maintenance of the association
	Physiological ecology of mycorrhizae
	Mycorrhizae and succession
	Mycorrhizae and restoration
     Lichens
     Fungal endophytes (leaf) 
Fungal Populations
	Life History Strategies
	Dispersal
	Coevolution of plants and plant pathogenic fungi	
Fungal Communities
	Fungi in food webs
	Terrestrial leaf decomposition
	Aquatic leaf decomposition
	Colonization and decay of wood
	Coprophilous fungi
Biotic interactions with animals 
	Rotifer and nematode trapping fungi
	Fungus cultivating insects
	Trichomycetes
Fungal biomass and productivity
	measuring fungal populations
	measuring fungal biomass and productivity
	salt marsh cord grass decomposition - a case study		
Fungi in extreme environments
	Thermophilic fungi
	Anaerobic chytrids

All academic work must met the standards contained in "A Culture of Honesty."
Each student is responsible to inform themselves about those standards before
Performing any academic work.