Alabama Mushroom Society |
Citizen Science
How To Take Scientifically Useful Observations
Current estimates suggest that the total number of fungi species is around 3.8 million. Less than 10% of those have been identified.₁ Alabama ranks as one of the top US States in biodiversity.₂ Despite this fact, Alabama fungi are underrepresented in online databases. These two facts mean there is a very good chance you are finding fungi that have not been previously described to science!
The Global Red List, which lists threatened and endangered species, only includes 408 of the 3.8 mil total species due to lack of data. For comparison, there are 1756 protected species of the 43,557 total vascular plants.₃ Knowing which mushrooms are where and when is vitally important to being able to study and protect them.
YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
It is citizen scientists like us who are helping gather the data for further study by professional mycologists. Citizen Science just means scientific research done by non-professionals- like you and me! Mycological research tends to be underfunded, and due to budget cuts, there are fewer university mycologists to do this research than there used to be.Are you interested in learning to take high-quality observations of fungi to contribute to the future of mycology? Read through the information below for how to take high quality observations on iNaturlist. Want to do more?
We have partnered with the John D. Freeman Herbarium at Auburn University to collect, ID and dry fungi to contribute to their collection, where the samples can be studied in the future by mycologists. Learn the proper steps below!
>Be sure your Location Permissions on your phone are ON to document WHERE you found it.
>Images need to be clear, well-lit, in focus and the mushroom needs to be relatively large in the photo so it's detail can be seen clearly.
>No immature, old, or damaged specimens.
>Be sure you get a photo of each criteria as explained below. It often takes several attempts to get adequate lighting and focus. You should end up with a minimum of 4 final photos (#1-4, as #5-7 are not always necessary or possible.
>Be sure your Location on your phone is ON to document WHERE you found it. You also must grant location permissions in setting for both your camera and the iNaturalist app.
>Images need to be clear, well-lit, in focus, and the mushroom needs to be relatively large in the picture so its details can be seen clearly.
>Color and texture are best documented in natural light.
>No immature, old, or damaged specimens.
>Be sure you get a great photo showing each criteria. There should be a MINIMUM of 5 photos (#1-5 below, as #6-8 are not always necessary or possible) But it often takes several photos to get adequate lighting and focus.
Step 1: FILL OUT A FIELD DATA SHEET
Field data sheets are used to: >Associate photos with collected specimens, for identification and for recording description information. >Provides a scale to indicate size. >Associate photos with specimens after drying for vouchering and sequencing. >Additional notes can be written on the back. Please write the address of where you collected the specimen from on the back. |
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Step 2: RECORD A HIGH QUALITY OBSERVATION
Photos That Are ALWAYS Necessary
#1 In Situ | #2 Cap | #3 Stipe | #4 Gills |
#5 Photo with Field Datasheet |
Photos That Are Sometimes Necessary
| #7 Bruising |
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Step 3: Collecting Specimens
>Dig the specimen up gently using a knife or trowel, make sure to dig deep enough to include the bulb/volva/rooting stipe, if present.
>GENTLY brush off any dirt or debris. A paintbrush or a soft-bristle toothbrush can be helpful.
>Once you are finished taking all the photos you need, put each specimen (or several of the same species collected in the same spot) into a separate bag with the corresponding field data sheet in your basket.
>Remember to only collect specimen that are in prime condition. Old, decayed, bug-eaten, or damaged specimens are not helpful unless you are collecting a rare species.
Step 4: Log Your Observation on iNaturalist
iNaturalist- a social network of naturalists, citizen scientists, and biologists built on the concept of mapping and sharing observations of biodiversity across the globe. Submit photos of what you find and others will help you identify them.
FunDiS- Fungal Diversity Survey. Contribute your observations of fungi to add to a database that can be used by scientists and conservationists to better understand and protect fungi all across North America.₅
Post Your Observation. See instructions below.
On Android:
1. Open iNaturalist app
2. Select the green plus sign on bottom right
3. Select ‘Choose Image’
4. Select ‘What Did You See’
-If you don’t have any idea what it is, type in and select ‘Fungi’
-If you know what genus it belongs in, type in and select the genus.
-If you think you know what species it is, type in and select the species.5. Under ‘Notes’ type in anything from your field data sheet that you wrote down. Such as, what kind of wood is it growing on? What was the habitat like? Was it one single specimen growing alone? Or were there several in the immediate area? What does it smell like? Was there any bruising or latex? Results of KOH or other chemical tests if done.
6. Location should fill in automatically if you have your permissions turned on to allow location permissions. PLEASE be sure you have it set to do so.
7. Click the green checkmark on the bottom of the screen when finished adding information
8. Back on your main screen showing your observations, select the observation you just uploaded. Scroll to the bottom where it says ‘Metadata’ and you will find the ID number. Copy this ID number down onto the field data sheet for this specimen. *This is VERY important so we can find your photos and information for sending to the fungarium or for DNA sequencing. Double check that you copied it over correctly and that your handwriting is legible.
On Apple
1.Open iNaturalist app
2. Select the camera icon on the bottom of your screen labeled ‘observe’
3. Choose the camera icon to snap a photo or photo library to choose a photo you already took.
4. Select ‘What Did You See’
-If you don’t have any idea what it is, type in and select ‘Fungi’
-If you know what genus it belongs in, type in and select the genus.
-If you know think you know what species it is, type in and select the species.5.Under ‘Notes’ type in anything from your field data sheet that you wrote down. Such as, what kind of wood is it growing on? What was the habitat like? Was it one single specimen growing alone? Or were there several in the immediate area? What does it smell like? Was there any bruising or latex? Results of KOH or other chemical tests if done.
6.Location should fill in automatically if you have your permissions turned on to allow location permissions. PLEASE be sure you have it set to do so.
7. Click the green checkmark on the bottom of the screen when finished adding information
8. Back on your main screen showing your observations, select the observation you just uploaded. Click the icon to share the observation, click "copy link to clipboard" if it is an option. Paste the link somewhere where you can view the number that the end of the url. Alternatively, you can share the observation with another app, like Keep Notes to view the number. Copy this ID number down onto the field data sheet for this specimen. *This is VERY important so we can find your photos and information for sending to the fungarium or for DNA sequencing. Double check that you have copied the number correctly and that your handwriting is legible.
Step 5: Vouchering
Voucher: a representative sample of an organism that is deposited and stored at a facility from which researchers may later obtain the specimen for examination and further study.
Dry the specimens in a food dehydrator set to 110֯ F (any temp over 140 ֯ will damage DNA) for 24 to 48 hours until as dry as a potato chip.
Place the specimen in a ziplock sandwich bag with the corresponding field data sheet. This is the size of ziplock you want --> Ziplock Sandwich Bags. Do not fold the field data sheet. Place the mushroom behind the field datasheet with the text facing out, so the information can be read without removing the mushroom. If the specimen is small and fragile, wrap it in a paper towel first. Add a desiccant packet to the bag if you have one.
Step 6: Mail Specimens
If you live up near Cullman, Alabama or in Birmingham, Alabama, one of us may be able to meet you to collect your specimens. Otherwise, please package them carefully in a box or padded envelope with your contact information, in case we have questions, and mail to:
AMS
2101 Millard Rd
Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379
Once received, we will verify that documentation is complete and that the specimens are in suitable condition to be archived at the herbarium. We then enter information into a log for the herbarium. Once we have a considerable shipment together, samples are sent to the herbarium where they are processed and archived.
