Science and Cocktails is proud to announce an episode with ecologist superstar and mycelium expert Toby Kiers, Professor of Evolutionary Biology and University Research Chair at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Executive Director of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks. Toby will tell you how hidden fungal networks help regulate many functions on our planet. All this just after MØR mixes electronic pop, techno, performance art and poetry.

Tickets:
Seated tickets are paid. Standing tickets are free and valid until 8pm. This means that you should enter before 8pm and can stay the entire event. After 8pm we let people in on a first come, first served basis.

Why should we care about underground ecosystems? Why are fungi important in climate, conservation and restoration? What is the fungal infrastructure below our feet? How do fungi control carbon flows? How are we mapping the Earth’s mycorrhizal fungi?

Fungi help regulate Earth’s climate and ecosystems by forming underground networks that draw down carbon and provide essential nutrients to plants. However, despite their key role in regulating the climate, fungi have been overlooked in climate change strategies, conservation agendas and restoration efforts. This is a problem: the destruction of underground fungal communities accelerates both climate change and biodiversity loss. In response, the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks is working with scientists across the world to map the Earth’s mycorrhizal networks. In her lab, Toby Kiers uses high-throughput imaging and video, nanoprobe-tracking and high-resolution network mapping to probe the inner lives of fungi.

Event held in English with the generous support of the Novo Nordisk Foundation.