Underground Explorers

Dry dipterocarp forests in Northern Thailand harbor highly diverse and distinct ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities shaped by host tree composition. ECM fungi play a critical role in forest functioning. In addition, they support economically important wild edible ECM fungi and contribute to local livelihoods. However, the diversity, community structure, and ecological interactions of ECM fungi in these ecosystems remain poorly understood. This study aims to employ high-throughput metabarcoding to characterize ECM fungal communities in dry dipterocarp forests of Northern Thailand. Soil samples will be collected, and total environmental DNA will be extracted. The ITS2 region will be amplified and sequenced using next-generation sequencing platforms. ECM community composition, diversity, and structure will be analyzed using bioinformatics analysis frameworks and ecological statistical approaches. This study will provide new insights into ECM fungal community structure and ecological roles, supporting conservation strategies and sustainable forest management in Northern Thailand.