Science Cafe

Science Café Woo presents: Mushrooms, the Carbon Cycle, and the End of the Carboniferous Time Period

David Hibbett from Clark University, studies the ecology and evolution of mushroom-forming fungi. In his talk, he will focus on the important roles fungi play in our ecosystems. Earth significantly slowed its coal-making processes roughly 300 million years ago at the same time fungi developed the ability to break down lignin, a component of plants. Dr. Hibbett will discuss how that new trait may have helped stop the accumulation of organic carbon that formed coal deposits thereby bringing about the end of the Carboniferous, a geological time period highlighted by the formation of coal beds across the planet.

Earn double woo points during the event!