Document Type

Thesis

Date of Award

Fall 5-1-2024

Keywords

Mycelium, Fungi, Geophysics, Electrical Geophysics, Near-surface Geophysics, GPR, Conductivity

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Geological Sciences

First Advisor

Alex Nikulin

Second Advisor

Jeffery Pietras

Third Advisor

Peter Kneuper

Abstract

Mycorrhizal mycelium networks are a key component to forest health. These networks act as a transportation system for nutrients, are major players in carbon and nitrogen cycling, and can provide some level of drought resistance to the surrounding flora. Due to the location and size of these network’s filaments, studying mycelium non-invasively has been difficult. The alternative method of laboratory grown samples, lacks the important environmental factors that play into the growth and development of mycelium. Mycelium’s inherent conductivity and moisture retention allows for these networks to be a viable target for electrical geophysical equipment. CMD-Tiny, a small shallow depth conductivity meter, and a high frequency 1200 MHz Mala GPR system, also set for shallow depth investigation, were applied at 10 study sites in the Binghamton Nature Preserve to evaluate the feasibility of identifying mycelium non-invasively. These instruments were used in tandem successfully to map mycelium networks in situ for small field sites, and were confirmed with observational ground truthing. The development of a non-invasive method to study mycelium allows for scientists across a number of fields to more efficiently and more sustainably study these fungal networks.

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