Mapping the world’s fungi from air samples is a cost-effective means to map the biodiversity. Because only a small portion of nature’s vast diversity, particularly in terms of species richness, is currently known to science. This is especially true for insects and fungi, with millions of species yet to be discovered. Concurrently, the rate of biodiversity loss is accelerating, prompting researchers to urgently identify unknown species and devise conservation strategies.
| Date | July 11, 2024 |
| Source | University of Jyvaskyla |
| Summary | Researchers have discovered that the secret to rapidly and affordably mapping biodiversity has been hidden in plain sight, in the very air around us. |
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Opinion of Researchers
“Air is a real treasure trove for nature research,” says Nerea Abrego, an Academy Research Fellow at the University of Jyvaskyla. “It is full of DNA from plants, fungi, bacteria, insects, mammals, and other organisms.”
Abrego led a study published in Nature, using DNA sequencing to identify fungi from global air samples. This research provided groundbreaking insights into the climatic and evolutionary factors affecting the distribution and seasonal variation of both known and unknown fungi.
“This knowledge is essential not only for understanding where and when different fungal species thrive but also for predicting their fate under ongoing global changes,” says Abrego.
Focus of mapping the world’s fungi from air samples
The core focus of Ovaskainen’s and Abrego’s multidisciplinary research group is the development of statistical modeling, bioinformatics, and artificial intelligence methods to accurately forecast biodiversity changes using new types of data.
Otso Ovaskainen, an Academy Professor at the University of Jyvaskyla, participated in the research project and believes that these new biodiversity sampling techniques will revolutionize biomonitoring and biodiversity forecasts. Ovaskainen is leading a follow-up project using DNA, images, and audio to study fungi, insects, mammals, birds, bats, and frogs at hundreds of locations worldwide.
Samples of The Study
“There are more than a million insect species in the samples already collected, far more than have been described by science so far,” says Ovaskainen. “The vast data set, including over a hundred years of sound, millions of camera trap images, and billions of DNA sequences, presents a significant analytical challenge.”
Given that most fungi spread at least partially through the air, the study examined various types, including boletes, russulas, lichens, bracket fungi, molds, and yeasts.
Study The Yeast Here
Future of The Study
“One particularly interesting area for further research is a detailed review of sequences for fungi important to humans,” says Abrego. “This includes fungal diseases affecting humans, crops, and livestock, as well as fungi that indicate ecological degradation and the weakening of natural processes.”
Abrego is leading a project that pilots air sampling and other innovative research methods as part of the regular Finnish national forest inventory, coordinated by the Natural Resources Institute Finland.
Funded by the Finnish Ministry of the Environment, this project aims to generate comprehensive data on natural diversity, particularly previously unknown fungi and insects, to inform decision-making processes.
FAQ on Mapping The World’s Fungi From Air Samples
1. What are fungi?
Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. Unlike plants, fungi do not photosynthesize; they obtain their nutrients by decomposing organic matter or forming symbiotic relationships with other organisms.
2. What is biodiversity?
Biodiversity refers to the variety of life on Earth, including the different species of plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms, the genetic differences within these species, and the ecosystems they form.
3. How do fungi contribute to biodiversity?
Fungi are crucial components of biodiversity, playing vital roles in ecosystems as decomposers, symbionts, and pathogens. They break down organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem, form symbiotic relationships with plants (mycorrhizae), and influence the diversity and health of other organisms.