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Azul, AM; Ramos, V; Pato, A; Azenha, M; Freitas, H. 2008. Mycorrhizal types in the Mediterranean Basin: safety teaching and training. JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL EDUCATION. 42(3):130-137. Address: Azul, AM, Univ Coimbra, Dept Bot, Ctr Fundamental Ecol, P-3000 Coimbra, Portugal
More than 90% of vascular plants in terrestrial ecosystems form symbiotic root-fungal associations known as mycorrhiza; in Mediterranean biomes all known mycorrhizal types co-exist. However, the understanding of mycorrhizal diversity and structure and their ecophysiological impact in soil productivity and conservation has been shown to be very poor among biology graduates. Two major reasons were detected: lack of (1) reliable information available and (2) teacher training. Our experience reveals that teachers are discouraged from practicals that involve long protocols and/or toxic chemicals. Despite this, we observed their willingness to be involved in studies of fungal diversity and function in natural communities, based on training with simple, safe methods. We confirmed that our training courses were important not only for acquisition of new information and development of skills, but also that they stimulated the planning of a number of different practicals linked to themes taught during the year.
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