Underground Fungal Networks: Crucial Ecosystems at Risk of Collapse

Scientists have unveiled concerning findings regarding underground mycorrhizal fungi, critical to sustaining ecosystems and storing carbon, which face significant threats due to lack of protection. A recent study published in *Nature* on July 25, 2025, details the creation of high-resolution global maps that reveal over 90% of these underground networks remain outside designated conservation areas, leaving them vulnerable to environmental degradation.

Using a comprehensive dataset comprising more than 2.8 billion fungal DNA sequences from 130 countries, researchers have developed the first interactive platform called the Underground Atlas. This innovative tool allows users, including researchers and policymakers, to explore fungal biodiversity across vast regions, from Ethiopia to Brazil and Tasmania to West Africa. The maps not only highlight the diversity of these networks but also reveal patterns of rarity that have been previously obscured.

Dr. Toby Kiers, a prominent researcher affiliated with the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), emphasizes the critical role of mycorrhizal fungi in ecosystem stability. "These fungi cycle nutrients, store carbon, and support plant health. Disrupting these essential ecosystem engineers can slow forest regeneration, contribute to crop failures, and unravel biodiversity aboveground," Dr. Kiers noted. The research underscored the necessity of integrating fungal networks into global conservation strategies, which have historically overlooked this vital component of Earth's ecosystems.

The implications of these findings are profound. According to Dr. Merlin Sheldrake, also from SPUN, the introduction of the Underground Atlas marks a pivotal moment in recognizing and addressing our 'fungus blindness.' He stated, "For too long, we have neglected mycorrhizal fungi in conservation planning. These new maps can help guide restoration efforts and inform policy decisions regarding endangered ecosystems."

The research team utilized machine learning algorithms to create predictive maps that illustrate fungal richness and rarity at a granular level, down to one square kilometer. Alarmingly, less than 10% of biodiversity hotspots are currently within protected areas, revealing a critical gap in conservation efforts. This highlights the urgent need for concerted action to safeguard these underground ecosystems.

As noted by Dr. Alex Wegmann from The Nature Conservancy, the high-resolution maps provide quantitative targets for restoration managers. "Historically, restoration practices have focused primarily on aboveground life, leaving underground ecosystems vulnerable and underrepresented in conservation initiatives," he stated.

The absence of legal protection for these fungal networks has significant ramifications. Researchers pointed to vulnerable regions, such as Ghana’s coastal fungal hotspot, which is eroding at an alarming rate of two meters per year. César Rodriguez-Garavito, a law professor at New York University, remarked on the urgency of including fungal systems in biodiversity and climate policies, stating, "This data is essential for strengthening laws and policies across all of Earth’s underground ecosystems."

Despite the progress made, researchers have only sampled a mere 0.001% of the Earth’s surface. SPUN is actively seeking partnerships to expand data collection and enhance the accuracy of fungal diversity maps. Dr. Kiers emphasized the need for collective action, urging researchers, conservationists, policymakers, and the public to collaborate in protecting these crucial networks. "The future of our ecosystems depends on the preservation of underground biodiversity," he warned.

To explore the hidden world beneath our feet and support ongoing efforts to protect these vital ecosystems, users are encouraged to engage with the Underground Atlas. The collaboration among various stakeholders, including funders, is essential for advancing global fungal exploration and restoration initiatives. The implications of this research extend beyond ecological health, potentially influencing climate and biodiversity legislation worldwide, as the scientific community continues to unveil the critical role that underground fungi play in sustaining life on Earth.