Underground Explorers

The Atacora Mountains of Togo (AMT) host diverse plant communities and unique biodiversity, serving as ecological corridors and refuges for species of conservation concern. However, these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by artisanal gold mining, which degrades soils, reduces forest cover, and disrupts belowground habitats. This project investigates how these disturbances affect mycorrhizal fungal communities, which are essential for ecosystem functioning. We hypothesize that mycorrhizal fungal diversity and abundance are higher in undisturbed areas than in sites affected by mining. To test this, the study will use eDNA metabarcoding to assess the diversity and distribution of arbuscular and ectomycorrhizal fungi along AMT and to compare impacted and non-impacted sites. The project will generate the first DNA baseline for these fungal groups in Togo and assess how mining pressure shapes their taxonomic patterns. Its findings will support impact assessment, restoration strategies, and the long-term conservation of belowground biodiversity in this important mountain landscape.