Saturday, October 25: Fungi and Lichen at Work within Our Ecosystem

Trip report by Laura Duncan

A cool, blue-sky October day in Kimberley saw 19 people gather to join Jamie Levine and Janice Strong as they shared their knowledge of fungi and lichens. The extensive research done by the couple made for a super interesting and informative session. We were introduced to a small selection of diverse species of both fungi and lichens. Jamie and Janice explained that there are 140,000 known species of fungi, although scientists estimate there are 1 million to 1.5 million total species worldwide. Fungi play many roles in an ecosystem, including regulators of ecological balance through interactions with other organisms, decomposers, recyclers, soil builders, and a source of medicines. Mycorrhizal fungi supply nutrients to plant root systems and without a fungal partner in root systems, 80-90 percent of trees and grasses would not survive. 

Lichens are equally interesting and ecologically important organisms. Lichens are actually a combination of two organisms in a symbiotic relationship.  A fungus and either an algae or a cyanobacteria combine to produce unique abilities to survive in a diversity of habitats and play a variety of ecological roles. While 18,000 species of lichens are known, it is suspected there are many more to be found in their many habitats. Some of the roles lichens play include pioneering habitats, nutrient cycling, air pollution monitoring, building and binding soil, and being a food source for animals and a source of antibiotics. 

In short, these small, often over-looked organisms are vital to the integration and support of the ecosystems we see around us. Thank you to Jamie and Janice for opening our eyes to the importance of fungi and lichens!

Saturday, October 25, 2025

9am

Meet at the pumphouse on St. Mary's Road, a few hundred metres off Highway 95A, to carpool to trailhead

Join Janice Strong, author of the local hiking guide Mountain Footsteps, and Jamie Levine for a 3 km, 2+ hour loop hike. Learn about the roles that fungi and lichen play in the ecosystems of the Kimberley Nature Park and Horse Barn Valley Interpretive Forest.

Dress for the weather with warm clothing and sturdy footwear, bring a snack and drink and a magnifying glass or loupe if you have one. Hiking poles may be helpful as some of the terrain is rough and rocky. Elevation gain 70 m or 270 ft. No dogs please. For more information: 250.489.8752