We gather statistically sound data on ecosystem patterns, remediation strategies, and succession based on restoration practices. These findings are shared with stakeholders.
Areas of Focus
Adaptive Conservation of Natural Communities
Mycoremediation
Phytoremediation
Myco-phytoremediation
Ecosystem restoration and succession
Phosphorus mitigation in soil and soil water
Pollinator habitat establishment
Mycoremediation
Phytoremediation
Myco-phytoremediation
Ecosystem restoration and succession
Phosphorus mitigation in soil and soil water
Pollinator habitat establishment
Current Projects
Myco-Phytoremediation in Multi-Functional Riparian Forest Buffers:
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This project aims to improve current Best Management Practices for riparian forest buffer management through restoring degraded riparian habitats via replacing nonnative monocultures with native polycultures, investigating the role of endemic mycorrhizae to mitigate phosphorus pollution, increase pollinator habitat while facilitating Abenaki land access, tracking succession through soil and plant surveys accompanied by eco-literacy fostering educational programs in the bioregional community.
Thanks to Lake Champlain Basin NEIWPCC, Permaculture Action Network, UVM Extension for Sustainable Agriculture, UVM Department of Agriculture, Landscape & the Environment, and the Lintilhac Foundation, we have the opportunity to grow from our 4 year proof-of concept project by tripling our trials, using endemic mycorrhizae grown from the forest on the farm (using our SARE guide), and with 98% Abenaki relevant plants, working with Abenaki grandmothers, Permatours, VTYouth Build Resource, Vermont Youth Conservation Corps, Mycolab members & community members. |
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Gathering Baseline Fungal Data in Red Oak Hardwood Forest with and without Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) in UVM Jericho Research Forest
How are forests enduring, changing and adapting amidst today’s diseases? Sharing a window into a new project colleague Kevin Melman of FunJshrooming and I via MycoEvolve began this week: Gathering Baseline Fungal Data in Red Oak Hardwood Forest with and without Beech Leaf Disease (BLD) in UVM Jericho Research Forest. They both already have the Beach Bark Disease but BLD is even more devastating. While already behind in baseline data for fungal populations (since disease is well on its way in one forest), we are grateful to receive Les Mehrhoff Botanical Research and a Waterwheel Foundation Awards to began this survey, which is documented in an INaturalist project: inaturalist.org/project…. Mycologists are welcome to contribute to our ID process while we wait for DNA analysis on our preliminary efforts applying old school methodologies of field guides, morphology, spore prints, basic microscopy... So far in our first survey we gathered over 94 species. This data will contribute to VT Fungal Scientific Advisory group’s aims and newly established Fungi Atlas via collaboration with Forest Ecosystem Monitoring and VT Center for EcoStudies Vt Atlas of Life val.vtecostudies.org/pr… Stay tuned! FungalResearch
Past Projects
Mycorrhizal Banks to Enhance Vegetable Yield and Reduce Water Quality Impairment by Mitigating Excessive Soil PhosphorusDiggers' Mirth Farm in Burlington, VT
2021-2023 |
Mycorrhizally Enhanced Phytoremediation of Phosphorus (P) by Riparian Buffer Vegetation: A Mesocosm Study of Uptake and LeachingUVM Greenhouse in Burlington, VT
2021-2022 |
Mycoremediation of Phosphorus in Agricultural Runoff Harnessing Mycorrhizal-Plant AssociationsShelburne Farms in Shelburne, VT
2019-2023 |
Mycoremediation Pilot Project
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EPSCoR BREE: Mycoremediation Pilot for Watershed RestorationBurlington, VT
2018-2019 |
