SPUN expeditions
SPUN is helping map patterns of mycorrhizal biodiversity, identifying under-sampled areas, and advocating for better protection of these communities.
In order to protect underground fungi, we need to know what is there. A recent analysis found that more than 70% of Earth’s known soil biodiversity hotspots remain unprotected by current conservation priorities1. SPUN is helping map patterns of mycorrhizal biodiversity, identifying under-sampled areas, and advocating for better protection of these communities.
We do this by combining large geo-located databases of mycorrhizal diversity with ecological variables to generate spatial predictions of mycorrhizal diversity based on the variable interactions through a machine learning approach. This approach allows us to quantify and map the uncertainty of these model predictions and identify under-sampled ecoregions to help guide future mycorrhizal research across the globe.
70%
how it works
- 1
Map & predict mycorrhizal biodiversity
- 2
Explore & sample
- 3
Extract & sequence fungal DNA
Sequence data strengthens and ground-truths mapping algorithms
SPUN works with local researchers to develop sampling campaigns that help characterize mycorrhizal biodiversity in diverse underground ecosystems. We do this by combining geo-located mycorrhizal DNA sequencing data with ecological variables to generate spatial predictions of mycorrhizal diversity through a machine learning approach. This approach allows us to predict values of mycorrhizal diversity across the diverse ecosystems and regions of the globe. Next, we quantify the uncertainty of these model predictions and identify under-sampled ecoregions to help guide future mycorrhizal research. In order to improve the accuracy of our models, we ground-truth our predictions by working with local researchers to physically sample the soil in the ecosystems with the highest uncertainty values, as identified by our models, and then test them against our predictions. With each new set of samples, our models get more accurate and our uncertainty values go down.
On the ground, SPUN works with local scientists and institutions to identify sampling sites from which soil samples will be taken. The soil samples are collected according to a standardized protocol that ensures consistency in our analyses. You can read about our sampling protocols here. These samples are then processed in a lab, where DNA is extracted from the soil samples followed by the specific amplification of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungal DNA. The amplified region of mycorrhizal DNA is then sent to a sequencing lab for the identification of the exact mycorrhizal species and lineages in the sample. These data are fed back into our models, which improve our predictions. We aim to generate data that is useful to governments, policy makers, NGOs and others to help diversify conservation agendas.
Learn more about our expeditions by checking out the stories below.
Expedition stories
February 2023
Lesotho
Together with researchers from National University of Lesotho, SPUN is sampling mycorrhizal communities of high-altitude wetlands that store extraordinary amounts of carbon. Surveys of these wetlands are becoming urgent as these unique southern African ecosystems are facing rapid warming and increased droughts.
read moreJuly 2022
Green roofs of Utrecht, Netherlands
Sampling green roofs to understand how cities can be better designed to support fungal biodiversity.
read moreJuly 2022
Apennine Mountains, Italy
Sampling the mycorrhizal fungal communities in the Apennine and Apuane mountains of northern Italy, and the Val d'Ala in the Italian western Alps.
read moreApril 2022
Patagonia, Chile
SPUN joined researchers and local experts in Patagonia to ground-truth maps of predicted mycorrhizal fungal diversity.
read more