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Global hotspots of mycorrhizal fungal richness are poorly protected

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Title: Global hotspots of mycorrhizal fungal richness are poorly protected
Authors: Van Nuland, Michael E., Averill, Colin, Stewart, Justin D., Prylutskyi, Oleh, Corrales, Adriana, van Galen, Laura G., Manley, Bethan F., Qin, Clara, Lauber, Thomas, Mikryukov, Vladimir, Dulia, Olesia, Furci, Giuliana, Marín, César, Sheldrake, Merlin, Weedon, James T., Peay, Kabir G., Cornwallis, Charlie K., Větrovský, Tomáš, Kohout, Petr, Baldrian, Petr, Tedersoo, Leho, West, Stuart A., Crowther, Thomas W., Kiers, E. Toby, van den Hoogen, Johan, SPUN Mapping Consortium
Contributors: Lund University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Research groups at the Department of Biology, Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lunds universitet, Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten, Biologiska institutionen, Forskargrupper vid Biologiska institutionen, Molekylär ekologi och evolution, Originator, Lund University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Sections at the Department of Biology, Functional Ecology, Lunds universitet, Naturvetenskapliga fakulteten, Biologiska institutionen, Avdelningar vid Biologiska institutionen, Funktionell ekologi, Originator
Source: Nature. 645(8080):414-422
Subject Terms: Natural Sciences, Biological Sciences, Ecology (including Biodiversity Conservation), Naturvetenskap, Biologi, Ekologi
Description: Mycorrhizal fungi are ecosystem engineers that sustain plant life and help regulate Earth's biogeochemical cycles1-3. However, in contrast to plants and animals, the global distribution of mycorrhizal fungal biodiversity is largely unknown, which limits our ability to monitor and protect key underground ecosystems4,5. Here we trained machine-learning algorithms on a global dataset of 25,000 geolocated soil samples comprising >2.8 billion fungal DNA sequences. We predicted arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungal richness and rarity across terrestrial ecosystems. On the basis of these predictions, we generated high-resolution, global-scale maps and identified key reservoirs of highly diverse and endemic mycorrhizal communities. Intersecting protected areas with mycorrhizal hotspots indicated that less than 10% of predicted mycorrhizal richness hotspots currently exist in protected areas. Our results describe a largely hidden component of Earth's underground ecosystems and can help identify conservation priorities, set monitoring benchmarks and create specific restoration plans and land-management strategies.
Access URL: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-025-09277-4
Database: SwePub
Description
Abstract:Mycorrhizal fungi are ecosystem engineers that sustain plant life and help regulate Earth's biogeochemical cycles1-3. However, in contrast to plants and animals, the global distribution of mycorrhizal fungal biodiversity is largely unknown, which limits our ability to monitor and protect key underground ecosystems4,5. Here we trained machine-learning algorithms on a global dataset of 25,000 geolocated soil samples comprising >2.8 billion fungal DNA sequences. We predicted arbuscular mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungal richness and rarity across terrestrial ecosystems. On the basis of these predictions, we generated high-resolution, global-scale maps and identified key reservoirs of highly diverse and endemic mycorrhizal communities. Intersecting protected areas with mycorrhizal hotspots indicated that less than 10% of predicted mycorrhizal richness hotspots currently exist in protected areas. Our results describe a largely hidden component of Earth's underground ecosystems and can help identify conservation priorities, set monitoring benchmarks and create specific restoration plans and land-management strategies.
ISSN:00280836
DOI:10.1038/s41586-025-09277-4