In South Australia, Fungimap has secured grant funding to run a 3 year pilot project called “Fungi for Function: bushland health indicators“ (April 2024 – February 2027).
This is a fungi surveying project developed with citizen scientists at 10 sites through the Mount Lofty Ranges, with a focus on target species within the four fungi functional groups (plant partners, plant transformers, recyclers, and lichens). The surveying seeks to answer key research questions around whether distinctive target species across the functional groups can be used as indicators of bushland condition. Half the bushland sites are in good condition, while half are in modified or recovering condition, to enable comparison. The sites are a mixture of NPWS national park sites, Bush for Life sites (managed by Trees for Life volunteers), and private landholder sites. The survey methodology will also be trialled at sites in the lower rainfall area of the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, and educational resources developed for school students to learn about fungi and the functional groups, via the education team at the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.
The project team have developed a booklet of the 28 target species we are searching for in Fungi for Function surveys. These target species are all commonly found in the Mt Lofty Ranges. You can download a copy here.
2026 survey season
We are seeking survey participants for this year’s 20 survey days across 10 sites. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about fungi, while spending time in beautiful bushland!
Hope Forest (private site) – Thursday 4th June
Hope Forest (private site) – Friday 5th June
McHarg Creek (private site) – Saturday 13th June
McHarg Creek (private site) – Monday 15th June
Belair National Park – Friday 19th June
Belair National Park – Saturday 20th June
Belair National Park – Friday 3rd July
Belair National Park – Saturday 4th July
Lenswood Centennial Park – Friday 10th July
Lenswood Centennial Park – Saturday 11th July
Lenswood Centennial Park – Saturday 18th July
Lenswood Centennial Park – Monday 20th July
Mark Oliphant Conservation Park – Friday 24th July
Mark Oliphant Conservation Park – Saturday 25th July
Mark Oliphant Conservation Park – Friday 31st July
Mark Oliphant Conservation Park – Saturday 1st August
Deep Creek National Park – Sunday 9th August
Deep Creek National Park – Monday 10th August
Deep Creek National Park – Saturday 15th August
Deep Creek National Park – Sunday 16th August
The survey days are approximately 10am-4pm, exact times to be confirmed.
Participants will need to watch some short training videos prior to attending, and use the iNaturalist app. Participants need to be able to walk up and down gentle slopes, move through vegetation, and get down close to the ground to observe fungi.
Register for all surveys here.
This project is being delivered in collaboration with many partner organisations, who are providing substantial in-kind or financial support for the project, including the Adelaide University, Botanic Gardens and State Herbarium, CSIRO (ALA), Culture to Country Consulting, Fleurieu Environment Centre, Hills Biodiversity, Kersbrook Landcare, Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Second Nature Conservancy, Trees for Life, and the Willunga Environment Centre.
Click here to subscribe to our project mailing list for updates and survey dates.
Click here to read Project Update #6 (March 2026)
Click here to read Project Update #5 (November 2025)
Click here to read Project Update #4 (June 2025)
Click here to read Project Update #3 (April 2025)
Click here to read Project Update #2 (October 2024)
Click here to read Project Update #1 (July 2024)
For all other enquiries please contact the Project Coordinator, Sophie Green, at fungiforfunction@gmail.com.
Follow the project on instagram @fungiforfunction
