Objectives of the trip
Three stakeholder meetings to introduce Dr Andy Taylor to Lao colleagues and to find out the extent of mycological expertise in Lao PDR.
To discuss the ranking of main goals of the project which include taxonomic training and practical training in herbarium taxonomy, as applied to mycological collections.
To locate any existing quantitative information on trade in fungi in Lao PDR and the value of fungi to rural people.
To amass literature on fungi and their uses in Lao PDR, in particular on the potential use of ectomycorrhizal fungi in reforestation programmes.
To identify whether there is a need for inoculation of tree plantations consisting of Dipterocarpaceae with ectomycorrhizal fungi.
To collect any existing information on the names of fungi being gathered for eating or medicine and whether they are known to be associated with particular tree species.
To discuss the relative benefits to the main project of working in certain named communities in different regions of Lao PDR.
