Under the Canopy

• Episode 92: Beyond the Fruiting Body - Why Fungi Matter More Than We Think

  Dr. Alfredo Justo, curator of botany and mycology at the New Brunswick Museum, unveils the mysterious world beneath our feet - the vast, largely undocumented kingdom of fungi. With backgrounds spanning Spain, the United States, and now Canada, Dr. Justo brings a wealth of expertise to our discussion about the cutting edge of fungal research.Unlike plants and animals, fungi remain largely enigmatic because we rarely see the actual organisms themselves - only their fruiting bodies (mushrooms) that occasionally emerge. This fundamental challenge has left mycology decades behind other biological sciences. As Dr. Justo explains, studying fungi is like trying to understand plants by only examining their fruits, never seeing the plants themselves.The conversation explores how DNA sequencing has revolutionized the field, allowing researchers to identify species with unprecedented accuracy. Through initiatives like the Fungal Diversity Survey (FunDIS) and MicroMap Atlantic Canada, scientists and citizen researchers are collaborating to document North America's fungal diversity. With over 70,000 mushroom specimens DNA barcoded so far, we're just beginning to understand the scope of fungal biodiversity.Beyond taxonomy, we delve into fungi's remarkable potential applications. From mycorrhizal relationships that enhance forest health to bioremediation of contaminated soils, from pre-inoculated trees that produce edible mushrooms to promising medical compounds like those found in chaga and lion's mane, fungi offer solutions to some of our most pressing challenges.Whether you're a nature enthusiast curious about participating in citizen science, an entrepreneur seeking innovative business opportunities, or simply someone fascinated by the natural world, this episode reveals how fungi connect all living systems. Connect with your local mycological society to join this growing community of mushroom enthusiasts making significant contributions to scientific understanding.

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• Episode 91: Outdoor Update With Garrett

  The world awakens in layers. As winter reluctantly loosens its grip, a fascinating transition period emerges where maple trees release their sweet sap, wild edibles push through the forest floor, and outdoor enthusiasts must balance excitement for new opportunities with awareness of emerging challenges.Jerry and Garrett Ouellette expertly guide listeners through this seasonal transformation, sharing both scientific knowledge and generations of practical woodland wisdom. Their conversation reveals the hidden rhythms that govern nature's calendar – from the precise moment maple sap becomes syrup (exactly seven degrees above water's boiling point) to the unexpected relationship between trilliums and wild leeks growing in the same soil conditions.Beyond mere observation, this episode offers practical insights for anyone venturing outdoors during this transitional time. Learn why birch syrup requires twice the sap as maple (an astounding 80:1 ratio), how tap holes create fascinating growth patterns in trees that resemble topographical maps, and essential safety protocols as tick season begins. The father-son dynamic brings warmth to discussions ranging from chiropractor visits for wilderness-related injuries to traditional methods for preparing foraged delicacies like fiddleheads and wild leeks.Whether you're a dedicated forager, firewood harvester, or simply someone who appreciates nature's intricate systems, this episode captures that magical moment when the natural world pivots from dormancy to vibrant life. Subscribe now to join our growing community of outdoor enthusiasts learning to live in harmony with nature's cycles.

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• Episode 90: The 70-Year Battle to Save Great Lakes Fisheries

  The fate of North America's most valuable freshwater system rests in the hands of dedicated scientists working across political boundaries. Greg McClinchey from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission returns to Under the Canopy to reveal the fascinating story of how this binational organization has battled invasive sea lamprey for nearly 70 years while coordinating fisheries management across multiple jurisdictions.Greg reveals the remarkable impact these parasitic invaders have had on Great Lakes ecosystems. Each sea lamprey consumes approximately 40 pounds of fish during its lifetime, while females produce around 100,000 eggs. Left unchecked for just 3-5 years, these invaders would collapse fish stocks throughout the basin. Through dedicated control efforts using targeted lampricides in tributary streams, the Commission has reduced lamprey populations by about 90% from their peak.The conversation takes unexpected turns, including the surprising story of how lamprey from the Great Lakes became part of a royal pie for Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee when lamprey couldn't be harvested from their native English waters due to conservation concerns. While European lamprey are considered delicacies, Greg explains why Great Lakes lamprey are unsafe for human consumption due to accumulated heavy metals.We explore cutting-edge science initiatives like the Great Lakes Acoustic Telemetry Observation System (GLATOS), which tracks fish movements throughout the lakes, and the potential for mass-marking hatchery fish. Most impressively, Greg shares news that lake trout populations in Lake Superior have been fully restored – a landmark conservation achievement after decades of work.What stands out most is how this international organization maintains unanimous, science-based decision-making even during periods of political tension between the U.S. and Canada. The Great Lakes Fishery Commission stands as a model for how shared commitment to natural resources can transcend politics to achieve remarkable conservation outcomes.

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• Episode 89: Exploring How Microorganisms Shape Human Health

  Professor James A. Scott takes us on a mind-expanding journey through the invisible world of microorganisms that profoundly shape our health from birth through adulthood. As an expert from the University of Toronto's Dalla Lana School of Public Health specializing in biological hazards, Scott reveals how the first 100 days of a baby's life represent a critical window when their gut microbiome—the complex community of bacteria living in our digestive systems—establishes itself and essentially "trains" their immune system.The conversation challenges much of what we thought we knew about cleanliness and health. Scott explains how our modern obsession with sterilizing environments may actually contribute to rising rates of allergies and asthma. Surprisingly, exposures to certain microbes early in life appear protective rather than harmful.This fascinating episode also delves into Scott's work preserving one of the world's most important fungal biobanks—a collection of approximately 15,000 living fungal strains, some dating back to the 1880s, including historically significant specimens like Alexander Fleming's original penicillin-producing mold. Despite its irreplaceable scientific value, this biological treasure trove faces an uncertain future due to funding challenges, highlighting the precarious nature of preserving biodiversity for future medical discoveries.Whether you're a parent curious about giving your child the healthiest start in life, someone struggling with allergies or immune issues, or simply fascinated by how our microscopic companions influence our wellbeing, this episode will transform how you think about the relationship between humans and microorganisms. Subscribe now to explore more hidden wonders of the natural world with Under the Canopy.

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• Episode 88: What Tree Lichens Tell Us About Our Changing Forests and Landscapes

  The forest canopy above us holds secrets most people never notice—miniature ecosystems thriving on tree trunks that tell profound stories about our changing world. In this eye-opening conversation with Dr. Yolanda Wiersma, professor of biology at Memorial University in Newfoundland, we venture into the fascinating realm of landscape ecology and lichen biodiversity.Dr. Wiersma introduces us to landscape ecology—a discipline studying interactions between living things and their environments at scales visible from airplane windows. From the rolling hills and forests to human developments cutting across them, these patterns shape everything living beneath the canopy. Her work bridges traditional scientific approaches with Indigenous knowledge, leading to remarkable discoveries in unexpected places.The heart of our discussion revolves around lichens—organisms far more complex than most realize. These aren't single lifeforms but miniaturized ecosystems combining fungi, algae, and sometimes bacteria from three different kingdoms. Dr. Wiersma's passion shines as she describes how these slow-growing organisms "eat the air" through photosynthesis while producing hundreds of unique chemical compounds, some with antimicrobial properties so effective that birds line their nests with them to protect vulnerable chicks.Perhaps most surprising is Dr. Wiersma's discovery of a lichen biodiversity hotspot in central Newfoundland—an area previously overlooked by scientists until a member of the Qalipu First Nation reached out with photographs of rare specimens. This collaboration led to documenting 175 species in a region not previously known for lichen diversity, highlighting how traditional knowledge enriches scientific understanding.Whether you're a nature enthusiast, someone curious about the hidden workings of our forest ecosystems, or simply appreciate learning about overlooked wonders in our natural world, this conversation will transform how you see the trees around you. Listen now to discover the miniature worlds thriving silently above our heads and what they can teach us about our changing planet.

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