Can a Fungus Save Plants from Global Warming?
Articles/Websites
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Biology, Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by BioInteractive
What it is
- In this video, students will learn how the symbiotic relationship between certain plants and a fungus, Curvularia protuberata, allows both organisms to survive in extreme-heat conditions.
- Students will learn that scientists believe that fungi might be able to lessen the impacts of climate change on food crops.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This video shows why biodiversity is so important for living systems, particularly if environmental conditions are changing or becoming more extreme.
- The resource includes links to related articles.
- A full transcript of the video is available.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students should have some basic knowledge about cells and microorganisms.
Differentiation
- Teachers could use the transcript to create discussion questions or a quiz.
- Science classes could use this video for lessons about symbiotic relationships, decomposition, the carbon cycle, photosynthesis, homeostasis, or biogeochemical cycles.
- Other resources on this topic include this video on interdependent relationships in ecosystems, this Hot Mess video on humans and the environment, and this Vox video on the race to preserve endangered foods.
From the scientist review
This resource presents a novel research, the discovery is particularly important to build plant resilience to respond to droughts and heat stress conditions. Although more research is needed for replications and scientific validations, the resource is ideal for classroom.
How we review resourcesReady to use it?
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