Matt Wainhouse

Matt Wainhouse, Natural England’s Fungi and Lichen Senior Specialist, dives into the fascinating world of oak fungi and biodiversity. He discusses his innovative tree-coring project and the intriguing new experiment involving wooden boxes inoculated with rot fungi to attract rare saproxylic insects. Alongside Tom Burns, Knepp’s ranger, they reveal the ecological significance of fungi in decomposing oak trees and how these habitats play a vital role in supporting insect diversity. Tune in for a colorful exploration of nature’s interconnectedness!