An international team of scientists has created the first high-resolution global maps of mycorrhizal fungi, using over 2.8 billion sequences of fungal DNA collected in 130 countries.
These invisible organisms, which form symbiotic networks with plant roots, are essential for soil fertility, carbon capture, and the resilience of ecosystems.
Mycorrhizae: invisible architects of terrestrial life
Mycorrhizae are associations between fungi and plant roots that form extensive underground networks. These networks allow for:
- Exchange of nutrients between plants
- Resistance to pests and droughts
- Growth in poor soils
- Capture of over 13.000 billion tons of CO₂ per year
Their role as natural carbon sinks is comparable to that of forests and oceans, but their absence in conservation policies leaves them vulnerable to irreversible damage.
A biodiversity without legal protection
More than 90% of mycorrhizal fungi are not covered by protected areas. The study reveals that less than 10% of critical points of fungal biodiversity are within legally protected areas, representing a worrisome gap in strategies such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and the 30×30 targets.
The lack of legal recognition means that these organisms are not included in environmental impact assessments or national biodiversity plans, despite their key role in ecological stability.
Underground Atlas: a tool for restoration from below
The maps were integrated into the Underground Atlas platform, developed by the organization SPUN (Society for the Protection of Underground Networks). This tool allows for:
- Locating hotspots of fungal biodiversity
- Identifying rare or threatened species
- Prioritizing areas for ecological restoration
- Supporting decisions based on scientific data
It is already being used in collaboration with entities such as The Nature Conservancy, and is being incorporated into restoration projects in regions like the Amazon, the Sahel, and southeast Asia.
Invisible risks: ecosystems in danger due to lack of legal coverage
Cases like the coast of Ghana, where there is a critical focus of threatened fungal biodiversity due to coastal erosion, demonstrate that lack of legal protection can lead to the irreversible loss of key ecosystems.
“When these underground networks are disrupted, ecosystems collapse from below,” warn researchers.
Soil science and public policies: a necessary convergence
Institutions like NYU and organizations like SPUN are promoting the incorporation of fungal data into climate regulations, agricultural policies, and conservation laws, aligning advances in soil science with global environmental decisions.
