Underground Explorers

Changa Manga Forest in Punjab, Pakistan—one of the world’s oldest and largest man-made forests—offers a unique opportunity to investigate mycorrhizal fungal networks in a historically altered yet ecologically complex landscape. Despite their critical role in nutrient cycling, plant health, and ecosystem stability, mycorrhizal communities in man-made forests, particularly in South Asia, remain poorly understood. This project addresses a key knowledge gap by examining how anthropogenic disturbance and plant species composition shape mycorrhizal diversity and structure. The project aims to test two hypotheses: (1) that mycorrhizal diversity declines with increased human impact, and (2) that native plant species support more diverse fungal communities than exotic species. Soil samples will be collected along biodiversity gradients using standardized protocols and analyzed via Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the fungal ITS rDNA region to produce high-resolution profiles of community composition. Findings from this study will provide valuable insights into the ecological functioning of soil fungal networks in human-managed systems and their potential role in forest restoration and resilience. Beyond scientific outcomes, the project will foster local collaborations, build research capacity, and promote biodiversity awareness. The results will inform conservation strategies in Pakistan and contribute to broader global efforts to understand and protect underground microbial diversity.