Skip to content
View menu
Sterling College
Log in
Geology Calendar view

Grounded Symbiosis: Soils, Plants, and Fungi


Class
Quantity
For someone else
Quantity
For someone else
No access code required
Enroll

This course explores the symbiotic relationships between soil organisms, plants, and fungi, and was developed through a similar cooperation of subject matter experts. We will cover the basics of soil, fungi, and plant sciences and how all three are inextricably intertwined. All three must be understood and supported to employ the practical methods that can be used to reap the benefits of each in our natural and agroecosystems.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course will explore the robust interactions between three key foundations of life. Many courses in biology and ecology stem from an anthropocentric approach to studying  populations of animals - they are the most relatable kingdom to us, and are often used as case studies to understand ecological concepts. However, there is a whole world of life that is the foundation of the ecosystem that is often overlooked, either because it is misunderstood or microscopic. 

This course explores the symbiotic relationships between soil organisms, plants, and fungi, and was developed through a similar cooperation of subject matter experts.  We will cover the basics of soil, fungi, and plant sciences and how all three are inextricably intertwined. All three must be understood and supported to employ the practical methods that can be used to reap the benefits of each in our natural and agroecosystems.

This course provides an opportunity for learners to:

  • Define symbiosis and provide examples.
  • Recognize the importance of soil health.
  • Describe how soil is formed.
  • Apply practical methods for building healthy soils.
  • Explain basic plant biology.
  • Summarize how plants use soil to get nutrients.
  • Apply practical plant cultivation and identification techniques.
  • Connect fungal biology to plant and soil health.
  • Use practical fungal cultivation and foraging methods.
  • Summarize real examples of fungal, soil and plant interactions. 

 

 

This course was created through and is part of :

 

COURSE-AT-A-GLANCE

The topical overview of the course below provides an early taste of what you can expect as you embark on this learning journey. Toggle the "Lessons" tab above for detailed descriptions of each.

  • Module 1 - Meeting the Players
  • Module 2 - What is Symbiosis?
  • Module 3 - Soil Biodiversity
  • Module 4 - Fundamentals of Plant Biology
  • Module 5 - Fungal Biology and Ecology

                AUDIENCE

                This course is suited for:

                • Those looking to support their gardening practice
                • Those looking to support sustainable ecosystem management and regeneration
                • Those interested in cultivating plants and fungi
                • Those interested in improving soil health for nutrition of themselves, their families, their community, or their pasture
                • Those concerned about the implication of soil degradation on social systems, health, agricultural and natural ecosystems
                • Those interested in learning more about their own social connections through study of the natural world

                COURSE FEE

                The price of this fully asynchronous course is the result of careful and intentional planning. While its high-quality content is the product of many hours of hard work and expertise by many hands, we recognize that the information it presents is relevant for all humans on the planet, regardless of financial circumstances. 

                To meet this need, Sterling is offering Grounded Symbiosis at $149, a far lower price than its rich content justifies. This fee includes the cost of course tuition and materials. Participants will be granted access to course materials for one (1) year.  If this cost presents a significant barrier to your participation, please contact ecogather@sterlingcollege.edu to discuss options.

                COURSE DEVELOPERS

                Each section of this course was developed by experts in each of the three disciplines, as well as with general ecological knowledge to weave the pieces together.

                DISCLAIMER: Course descriptions on this webpage are for informational purposes only. Content may be updated or changed as planning evolves. Sterling College reserves the right to alter the program specifics, including details about course content, instructors, collaborations, field trips, facilities and pricing, at any time without notice. 

                Here is the class outline:

                Course Introduction

                Introduction to the course structure, course creators, and how to navigate the course in NEO.

                Meeting the Players

                In this first module, we will quickly summarize the key attributes of each group, highlighting the ways that each connects to the others, before diving in deeper to the biology and ecology of each. We will then explore how these relationships can be viewed as metaphors for our own human relationships with each other and the environment, and what we can learn from these natural interactions about communication, reciprocity and community support.

                What is Symbiosis?

                In this module, we will explore examples of different types of symbiosis, and how symbiotic interactions evolve differently from the evolution of individual traits and behaviors. Then, we will see how our three realms (plant, fungi, and soil) interact in mutualistic ways, how these interactions form the foundation of our natural and agricultural ecosystems, and the implications of threats to any of these players or their relationships to each other.

                Soil Biodiversity

                In this module, we will immerse ourselves in the ever-developing soil, encounter the soil in our local environment, examine its ecological connections and gifts, and learn how to give back to this living system that supports life on earth.

                Fundamentals of Plant Biology

                In this module, we will explore the inner workings of plants, to discover their anatomy, life cycle, and chemical processes such as photosynthesis, nutrition, and chemical signaling. Understanding the biology of plants allows the attentive grower to be more effective and empathetic when encouraging the plant to flower, fruit, root, and grow to achieve the various goals of stewarding an ecosystem, greenhouse, garden, farm, or just feeling a deeper connection with these invaluable organisms. If you are enrolled in any other EcoGather courses, this module will also serve as a deeper dive into topics covered in subjects such as Ecology Essentials for Everyone, Agroecology, and Growing Your Own Food for Health & Security.

                Fungal Biology and Ecology

                In our exploration of fungi, we will begin with why fungi are so unique, and how they challenge our perspectives as "objective scientists"; we'll explore their history and morphology, and then begin to connect fungi to their ecosystems. Finally, we'll explore a little bit of the ways that fungi impact our culture, how to find and identify fungi in the wild, and some of the exciting breakthroughs in growing and using fungi as food, building material, and ecological restorers.