Biogeography of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
spun authors
summary
Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi play a vital role in planetary health by enhancing plant nutrient uptake, stabilizing soils, and supporting biodiversity. These fungi are key to achieving environmental targets under the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 15: Life on Land. However, important aspects of their global biogeography remain unresolved, impeding our ability to document and harness their contributions to terrestrial ecosystem resilience.
The study analyzed the largest global dataset of environmental DNA (eDNA) sequences specific to AM fungi, derived from soil using targeted metabarcoding techniques.
The authors highlighted critical data gaps: over 70% of global ecoregions currently lack soil-based AM fungal metabarcoding data.
By pinpointing these severe gaps, the study guides future sampling priorities in underrepresented habitats. Filling these voids is essential for building a more complete understanding of AM fungal distributions—and by extension, for clarifying and reinforcing their role in achieving environmental and conservation goals under SDG 15.
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