Hongos en la finca la franja: explorando la diversidad fúngica en vianí, cundinamarca

Abstract

The Final Internship Report entitled “Fungi at La Franja Farm: Exploring Fungal Diversity in Vianí, Cundinamarca” was conducted at La Franja Farm, Vianicito village, Vianí, Cundinamarca, a site recognized for its high biological diversity. The general objective was to characterize fungi present in permanent plots and transects within the lower montane forest of the farm. During six months of monthly sampling, 20 plots and two transects were surveyed, documenting the morphological and ecological traits of macrofungi through spore prints, longitudinal sections, and systematic data recording. Results showed a strong dependence of macrofungi on environmental factors, particularly humidity and rainfall, with plots 5 and transect 4 yielding the greatest abundance and diversity, dominated by pileate fungi. A key contribution of this study was the adaptation of the plastination protocol using epoxy resin under resource-limited conditions, eliminating the need for specialized equipment such as vacuum pumps or chambers. Experimental trials led to crucial adjustments, including partial acetone dehydration to protect delicate structures, a 1:1 epoxy-to-catalyst ratio for improved color preservation, and limiting polymer layers to avoid rigidity. This adaptation demonstrates that plastination can be an accessible, low-cost, and effective technique for preserving macrofungi, with significant potential for educational and museographic purposes in contexts lacking advanced laboratory infrastructure.