Underground Explorers

This project aims to establish the first baseline assessment of mycorrhizal fungal diversity across arid and semi-arid ecosystems of Iraq. Soil and fine-root samples will be collected from environmentally contrasting regions representing gradients of aridity, salinity, land use, and vegetation cover. DNA metabarcoding of ITS2 and SSU regions will be used to characterize fungal communities and identify environmental drivers shaping belowground biodiversity. The project will generate the first standardized dataset on Iraqi mycorrhizal fungi, contributing to global fungal biodiversity knowledge while addressing a major geographic gap in current datasets. Results will support soil conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, and climate adaptation strategies in dryland environments. The project will also form the scientific foundation for the Iraq Mycorrhiza Atlas and strengthen local capacity in soil biodiversity research.