Mushroom Observer
Mushroom Observer
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Mushroom Observer seeks to create a large database and understanding of mushrooms and fungi present around the world.
Mushroom Observer seeks to create a large database and understanding of mushrooms and fungi present around the world.
Goals of Mushroom Observer Research:
Goals of Mushroom Observer Research:
- Create a large database of mushroom and fungi sightings and photos.
- Tracking range and populations of various species.
- Identify and classify new species of mushrooms and other fungi.
- Create a community of users submitting photos and identification information.
Why should you care?
Why should you care?
Mushrooms and fungi are important for your ecosystem and your life!
Mushrooms and fungi are important for your ecosystem and your life!
Fungi take on many roles in the ecosystem to keep it healthy and efficient:
Fungi take on many roles in the ecosystem to keep it healthy and efficient:
- Provide a food source for people and animals
- Nature's Clean-up Crew by decomposing (breaking down into soil) dead matter
- An important source of medicine and antibiotics
- Potentially new scientific discoveries and innovations could be found in undiscovered fungi species
And so much more!
And so much more!
Did you know?
Did you know?
By some estimates less than 5% of the world’s species of fungi are known to science, with an estimated 2.2 to 3.8 million species out there!
By some estimates less than 5% of the world’s species of fungi are known to science, with an estimated 2.2 to 3.8 million species out there!
Unique Location
Unique Location
National Park Service data estimates that there are over 500 different species of fungi living in Calumet region-area highlighted to the right-where you live!
National Park Service data estimates that there are over 500 different species of fungi living in Calumet region-area highlighted to the right-where you live!
Northwest Indiana is an incredible example of many different species of organisms living in a small area-high biodiversity.
Northwest Indiana is an incredible example of many different species of organisms living in a small area-high biodiversity.
Some Cool Northwest Indiana Mushroom Species
Some Cool Northwest Indiana Mushroom Species
Tremella mesenterica
Boletus bicolor
Geastrum triplex
Hydnellum peckii
Who Runs Mushroom Observer?
Who Runs Mushroom Observer?
The Mushroom Observer website is owned and operated by the Massachusetts based non-profit, Mushroom Observer, Inc.
The Mushroom Observer website is owned and operated by the Massachusetts based non-profit, Mushroom Observer, Inc.
The Mushroom Observer website supports the ongoing Mycoflora Project.
The Mushroom Observer website supports the ongoing Mycoflora Project.
Mushroom Observer values observations and photos of various fungi!
Mushroom Observer values observations and photos of various fungi!
Mushrooms, lichens, molds, yeasts, slime molds, and rusts are all important for Mushroom Observer!
Mushrooms, lichens, molds, yeasts, slime molds, and rusts are all important for Mushroom Observer!
How Do I Participate?
How Do I Participate?
You will search out fungi at any location and record your observations on the Mushroom Observer site.
You will search out fungi at any location and record your observations on the Mushroom Observer site.
You will need to photograph, attempt to identify, and possibly collect various samples.
You will need to photograph, attempt to identify, and possibly collect various samples.
Don't worry, we have digital guides that can help you!
Don't worry, we have digital guides that can help you!
Mushroom Observer can also help you identify your photos too!
Mushroom Observer can also help you identify your photos too!
There are no time or frequency requirements.
There are no time or frequency requirements.
Find mushrooms and collect data whenever you can!
Find mushrooms and collect data whenever you can!
How is my data used?
How is my data used?
The site is a resource for both amateur and professional mycologists as a living field guide for mushrooms or a collaborative mushroom field journal.
The site is a resource for both amateur and professional mycologists as a living field guide for mushrooms or a collaborative mushroom field journal.
The data is used by professional scientists and hobbyists!
The data is used by professional scientists and hobbyists!
Scientists can learn about range of species around the world from this data.
Scientists can learn about range of species around the world from this data.
Project Perks
Project Perks
Mushroom Observer gives you the opportunity to explore outside and look for fungi.
Mushroom Observer gives you the opportunity to explore outside and look for fungi.
This project gives vital data to scientists and hobbyists who are interested in fungi and their uses.
This project gives vital data to scientists and hobbyists who are interested in fungi and their uses.
Fungi are growing all year! Even in the winter!
Fungi are growing all year! Even in the winter!
You can sharpen your photography skills.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
You can sharpen your photography skills.
Data can be entered easily-even on a smartphone.
Fast Notes
Fast Notes
- The Mushroom Observer website is owned and operated by the Massachusetts based non-profit, Mushroom Observer, Inc.
- By some estimates less than 5% of the world’s species of fungi are known to science, with an estimated 2.2 to 3.8 million species out there!
- Mushroom Observer tracks data showing the range of mushrooms and other fungi species.
- There is the possibility of finding and helping to identify new species of fungi through the project.
- This project allows you to collect data whenever and wherever you want, without any restrictions.
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