Underground Explorers

Our project aims to investigate the variation and complexity of fungal communities in different geographical locations in Honduras; Wampusirpe, Gracias a Dios; Catacamas, Olancho; Tegucigalpa, Francisco Morazán y La Esperanza, Intibucá.  By collecting 108 samples from four diverse sites, the study will employ 16S rRNA metabarcoding and ITS regions, using the Illumina MiSeq platform, to understand the fungal diversity in tropical rainforests, mountainous terrains, grasslands, and urban landscapes. The research emphasizes the relationship between land-use practices, ecological gradients, and fungal community structure. This in-depth exploration holds significant importance for understanding ecosystem dynamics and will contribute valuable information for strategies in sustainable agriculture, conservation, and land management. Collaboration with indigenous communities, insights into small-scale farming, and alignment with the mission of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) are integral aspects of this vital ecological research as well as providing valuable data for global conservation initiatives.