Fungal restoration is the process of re-introducing and/or encouraging healthy, native fungal communities, such as mycorrhizal fungi, into underground ecosystems. By leveraging the natural abilities of mycorrhizal networks, fungal restoration can help repair degraded habitats, regenerate soil health, break down environmental pollutants (bioremediation), and act as a natural climate solution by more effectively moving carbon in the soil.

Fungal restoration can take many forms. The primary goals are protecting and conserving fungal populations and species threatened by loss to soil degradation, and halting biodiversity loss. An additional benefit is supporting the numerous ecosystem services that fungi provide. Fungal restoration can include soil microbe restoration which leads to increases in plant biomass productivity and helps plants increase their resistance to shock.

Fungal restoration is  receiving widespread attention as we learn about its many benefits and better understand how it works.

Key Takeaways:

-Belowground fungal health plays a major role in ecosystem recovery

-Restoration success rates can significantly increase when mycorrhizal fungi are incorporated into restoration plans

-Fungal refugia, which are important sources of intact fungal diversity, are important for future restoration efforts because they protect hidden fungal systems that are needed in the future

SPUN is interested in studying how fungal populations support seed germination rates and plant growth and survival rates, for regeneration, reforestation, and afforestation. Fungi are key drivers in vegetation succession, as they deliver the specific nutrients needed by a plant. Fungal restoration is difficult to measure. SPUN is taking steps towards fungal restoration by bench-marking (making an inventory at a point in time) of current fungal populations.