From August 12 to 16, the Institute of Biology of the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso was the first course version ‘The Biology of Fungi’, led by the researcher of the Biological Restoration of Soils program of Ceres center, Dr. Ana Aguilar, Professor Dr. Cristián Átala and Professor of Cultivation of Edible Fungi, Dr. Guillermo Pereira, from the University of Concepción.
Between theoretical classes on basic concepts of the Fungi Kingdom, its main groups, ecology and applications of micro and macro fungi, in addition to a field work carried out by the Peñuelas Lake Reserve, where participants had to collect species of mushrooms and then be identified in the laboratory, the Course sought to deepen their importance in the restoration and conservation of ecosystems.
“Since in the university meshes of related careers, where it is possible to apply mycology (study of fungi), there are no specific branches on this kingdom of nature, this course allowed to meet the growing interest of students (pre and post grade) about its characteristics and benefits. These organisms have multiple applications, from food to agriculture, even within medicine. They have a very important ecological role in the restoration and conservation of ecosystems. In Chile, for example, there is enormous potential, due to its high diversity, so these types of instances are really very well received, ”said Dr. Ana Aguilar.
This time the 25 participants came from the Bachelor’s degrees in Biology, Natural Resources, Environmental Biology, Agronomy, Tourism and Pedagogy in Biology at the Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso, Universidad de Playa Ancha, Universidad de Chile and Universidad Autónoma de Chile.
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