Meet the Scientist

Name: Patrick R. Leacock
Position/Title: Research Associate, Mycology
Department: Botany

1. What do you study related to biodiversity (what are your research questions, what organisms do you work on)?

As a mycologist I study fungi, particularly macrofungi—the mushrooms, boletes, polypores, and other visible fungi that fruit above the ground. My particular interest is in the macrofungi that form beneficial associations with woody plants exchanging nitrogen and nutrients for carbon. These fungi form ectomycorrhizae— covering around and networks within the short roots of particular trees and shrubs.

My research with Greg Mueller and colleagues at The Field Museum covers three projects: 1) determine the extent to which macrofungal communities and sensitive ectomycorrhizae are being impacted by airborne nitrogen pollution; 2) record the changes in a macrofungal community during oak woodland restoration, which uses controlled burns to reduce invasive plants; 3) document the diversity of fungi in the region to add to our knowledge of biogeography.

2. How do you study biodiversity (for example, what technological tools and methodologies do you use in your research)?

Sampling and collecting of macrofungi at targeted sites and habitats supplement the Museum herbarium's hundred-year-span of collections. To obtain quantitative data on diversity and abundance, we use tenth hectare plots which are sampled several times each summer and fall.

As part of the Illinois Rapid Assessment Program (IRAP) we developed more efficient sampling methods that use transects at sites in oak woodland, oak savanna, and tallgrass prairie. Additional fungi records are obtained by visiting other sites of interest. We collect representative fruiting bodies (ephemeral reproductive structures) which are then described, photographed, identified, and the specimens dried for long-term storage in The Field Museum herbarium.

3. Where do you study biodiversity?

Since 1994 Mueller and colleagues have conducted these studies in the Chicago region. The Nitrogen Addition project is situated along the pollution gradient from west of Chicago, Illinois, to northwest Indiana at three sites: Shabbona Lake State Park in De Kalb County, Swallow Cliff Woods Forest Preserve in Cook County, and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter County. Swallow Cliff Woods is also the location of the woodland restoration study and was one of the IRAP sites. Other study sites include Cap Sauers Holdings, Green Lake Savanna, Powderhorn Lake Prairie, and numerous preserves in Cook County.

4. How might your research have implications for biological conservation?

This research addresses several priorities outlined in the Chicago Wilderness Biodiversity Recovery Plan. Woodlands have been listed as a First Tier conservation target, and nitrogen pollution has been listed as a potential threat to these communities. Research needs identified in the recovery plan also include developing baseline inventories for understudied groups such as soil organisms and understanding ecological processes at work in a community and their preservation.

Our study will help to improve conservation of biodiversity of these forests in several ways:

We will inventory and document the diversity and distribution of macrofungi, a poorly known group of organisms in these forests, which includes ectomycorrhizae, a vital partnership between fungi and their woody plant associates, oak being the major benefactor in this region.

We will determine to what extent nitrogen pollution is having an impact on the natural macrofungal communities in the Chicago region.

We will determine which species are most sensitive to nitrogen deposition; these taxa can be used as indicator species at other sites.

We will document the changes in a fungal community with respect to woodland restoration.

5. How did you become interested in science? What made you want to be a scientist, and how did you get to The Field Museum?

My interest in nature began at an early age, hiking in the woods with my folks, checking out every bug and flower and rock, I wanted to know the name of each curiosity and how it fit in with everything else. I became an avid birdwatcher at age 14. Later, while leading a spring field trip, a patch of delicious morel mushrooms was discovered.

After an introduction to the local mushroom club, I was hooked. Here was a challenge in identification. Each foray was like a treasure hunt. I soon returned to the University of Minnesota for graduate studies. While completing my Ph.D. research on the diversity of ectomycorrhizal fungi in ancient forests, I was contacted by Greg Mueller to fill a vacancy at The Field Museum. I had gotten to know Greg at mycology meetings and during two visits to The Field Museum’s herbarium.

6. Describe important collaborations for your scientific endeavors (describe your work with other researchers, organizations, or scientific groups, local or indigenous peoples, etc.)

I serve as a scientific advisor for the Illinois Mycological Association whose forays provide us with valuable fungal specimens for the region. We work with the North American Mycological Association to preserve voucher specimens of fungi from their national forays. We assist the Illinois Poison Center with identification of ingested mushrooms.

Our research projects are made possible with the assistance of undergraduate interns and volunteers, and with the cooperation of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, and other preserves, and several funding sources. The current 5-year Nitrogen Addition project, funded by the National Science Foundation, is a collaborative project of Drs. Lussenhop and BassiriRad, University of Illinois at Chicago, Dr. Miller, Argonne National Laboratory, and Dr. Mueller, The Field Museum.

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