Abstract
In 2015, 2016, and 2017, three international field schools on tropical mycology were realized in Benin by the University of Parakou, Benin, in collaboration with the University of Frankfurt, Germany. A total of 69 participants from 14 countries of tropical Africa and three different countries of Europe included 61 student participants from Africa and Germany as well as eight African and international teachers. By demonstrations and collecting fungi in the field, light microscopic analysis of the specimens collected, literature analysis, checklist work, and seminars, knowledge on fungal diversity, systematics, morphology, and ecology was shared and generated. Through joint field and laboratory activities, participants were motivated to pursue studies in mycology in order to contribute not only to general knowledge on tropical fungi, but also promote sustainable management of fungi in forestry, agriculture, and the environment, as well as to use fungi for food, medicine, and other applications.
Highlights
The African continent harbours hotspots of biodiversity that promise fascinating insights into organismic diversity, interactions, and ecology as well as the presence of organisms useful or harmful to human beings
In order to promote mycological teaching and research in tropical Africa, three international field schools in Benin were organized by the Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou (Benin) in collaboration with the Department of Mycology and the Centre for Interdisciplinary African Studies (ZIAF) both located at the University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany
All participants learnt from nature, from teachers, and from each other on fungal diversity, morphology, and ecology, as well as on plant diversity associated with fungi
Summary
The African continent harbours hotspots of biodiversity that promise fascinating insights into organismic diversity, interactions, and ecology as well as the presence of organisms useful or harmful to human beings. African animals and plants attracted attention since several centuries, investigation of fungi, is still in a pioneer phase in most African countries. This is evident in particular by a lack of checklists and mycological collections of dry fungal specimens or living cultures. Fungal diversity is threatened by land allocation, habitat destruction, high population density causing intensive land use, bush fire, and climate change (Yorou & De Kesel 2011)
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