Several members of our working group participated at a field course in Tenerife, financed by the Doctoral School of Earth Sciences and Ecology. Tenerife is a perfect model island to study ecological and evolutionary processes that shape vegetation due to a steep altitudinal gradient. The gradient stretches from the sea level up to 3700 meters on the top of the El Teide Volcano. During one week in April PhD students not only got to witness the main ecological theories in real life but also practice modern methods in plant ecology. Maret, Siim-Kaarel and Tanel participated as PhD students, and Inga as one of the main leaders of the expedition.

On 20^th of April, a Harry Potter themed science day called “Henry Lotter” took place in Tallinn’s Pae Secondary School. We were invited to do a workshop there. So, firstly we let the students to look for fungal structures in plant roots and afterwards explained them what did they see and why is mycorrhiza important not only for plants but also for us, humans.

This year’s Plant Ecology Laboratory seminar took place on 18^th-19^th of April near Palamuse. Working group members and invited guests gave talks about their ongoing projects. This year, there was also a small trait workshop lead by Carlos and Mari. The purpose of the workshop was to discuss which traits are plant mycorrhizal traits.

On 11^th of April, University of Tartu science day took place in Pärnu. From our working group, Lena and Teele with Kersti from macroecology working group explained the students how plant communities are assembled and how to restore degraded communities. After that the students did a theoretical exercise about restoring an ecosystem – either wooded meadow, alvar grassland or raised bog.