Amateur mycologist and son crack Science with 50-year shroom study
A retired stone mason and his ecologist son have published a paper in the journal Science based on the father's 50-year study of mushrooms in southern England. The paper is notable in part because it suggests a biological impact of global warming in autumn:
A remarkable father-and-son research project has revealed how rising temperatures are affecting fungi in southern England.
Fungus enthusiast Edward Gange amassed 52,000 sightings of mushroom and toadstools during walks around Salisbury over a 50-year period.
Analysis by his son Alan, published in the journal Science, shows some fungi have started to fruit twice a year.
It is among the first studies to show a biological impact of warming in autumn.
"My father was a stonemason, and his hobby was mycology," recounted Alan Gange, an ecology professor at Royal Holloway, University of London. [BBC]
Congratulations to the Ganges.
it is great to read of amateurs making a difference. comet discovery is another field where amateurs are very active. science teachers all over can be proud.
Posted by: etaoing | April 07, 2007 at 10:25 AM
Does fungi fruit?
I tried to grow mushrooms in a closet once. Bought a whole kit. Didn't work...contamination or some such.
Posted by: mudkitty | April 07, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Yes, sterility is very important, at least initially. For certain species, anyway... ;)
Posted by: Jim | April 07, 2007 at 12:52 PM
Sound like two fun guys.
Posted by: citicrimes | April 07, 2007 at 03:19 PM
Cathedrals are built slowly, one brick at a time: a good example of how science is actually done. Raise your glasses to the Ganges!
Posted by: cfrost | April 07, 2007 at 03:37 PM
Well, ok Jim, have you been able to grow indoor mushrooms?
Posted by: mudkitty | April 07, 2007 at 04:24 PM
Anyone? Can we save the mushrooms? Or will they save us?
In getting Japanese movie here...
Posted by: mudkitty | April 07, 2007 at 04:39 PM
Congratulations to the Ganges. And best wishes to the Indus.
The interesting thing about this is that, given the time frame, the elder Gange couldn't possibly have started collecting his data with a climate change hypothesis in mind. So any findings are absolutely bias free in that respect.
Posted by: chris y | April 08, 2007 at 07:49 AM
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057295/
One of the Greatest Films In THE History OF THE Universe.
Posted by: mudkitty | April 08, 2007 at 02:10 PM
The very best gift of a good education in science is a constant curiosity and a sense of what does not fit the pattern. Wonderful to see that education is not the only way to benefit from that attitude that says nature is talking to you all the time.
Posted by: greensmile | April 08, 2007 at 06:25 PM
Wonderful to see that education is not the only way to benefit from that attitude that says nature is talking to you all the time.
After 50 years of eating mushrooms, you bet it does. :)
Posted by: scarshapedstar | April 09, 2007 at 04:32 AM
Are all you guys so young that you've never seen "Attack Of The Mushroom People?"
Posted by: mudkitty | April 09, 2007 at 11:01 AM