Aquatic FUNgal biodiversity: developing knowledge and strAtegies to inform ConservaTION priorities and measures

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Hans-Peter Grossart
• Subject Area: Ecology and Biodiversity of Plants and Ecosystems ; Hydrogeology, Hydrology, Limnology, Urban Water Management, Water Chemistry, Integrated Water Resources Management ; Microbial Ecology and Applied Microbiology
• Term: since 2023
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 511798273

Aquatic fungi (AF) ensure the health, function, and resilience of freshwater and estuarine ecosystems. Yet, their biodiversity is overlooked and largely unknown. Thus, they are excluded from all major conservation plans and policies. We hypothesise that current protected areas (PAs) envisioned for instance in the Natura 2000 network and by Ramsar convention lack strategic conservation areas to sustain AF diversity and multi-functionality. For the first time, thanks to technological advances in sequencing and the combined transdisciplinary expertise of FUNACTION partners, we will build knowledge about AF taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity to develop AF-aware strategies for conservation. FUNACTION will i) build a pan-European map of fungal biodiversity to identify patterns and drivers of AF diversity at European level as needed for data-driven conservation (WP1; THEME1); ii) test and assess AF diversity (taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional) across the different spatio-temporal scales in PA vs. Non-PA for their suitability, and effectiveness in protecting AF diversity, functions and services (WP2; THEME1,2,3); iii) build the knowledge base and strategies necessary to enable monitoring (e.g. under 2000/60/EC WFD) and conservation of AF (envisioning new PAs in the framework of EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030) and associated ecosystem functions (WP3,4; THEME1,3) and guidelines to expand them to the global scale; and iv) ensure effective engagement, communication, and dissemination of information to the public, stakeholders (national, European, and global managers and policy-makers), and the scientific community (WP5). Pan-European patterns of AF diversity (WP1) will be achieved by sampling 16 countries to complement datasets collected and made available by our Estonian FunAqua project partners (ca. 500 sites from 26 European countries). To ensure a broad geographical range within Europe and representative bioclimatic and environmental gradients, case-studies in all partner countries (Estonia, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland) (WP2) will be established. Our cutting-edge metabarcoding and metagenomic analyses will provide unique views of fungal and eukaryotic diversity and function that together with climate, land use and other key environmental variables will be translated into harmonised guidelines and examples for effective management and conservation planning in Europe. To achieve these goals, FUNACTION gathered a consortium of transnational, interdisciplinary experts (incl. IUCN) which will allow exchange of highly complementary skills and expertise, and mobility and training of the next generation of scientists and managers, thereby increasing European competence in this area with lasting transnational benefits. FUNACTION will initiate a longstanding collaborative network to assess, engage, and conserve to the benefit of AF biodiversity.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Estonia, Italy, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland
• Partner Organisation: Estonian Research Council (ETAG); Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT); Ministero dell'Università e della Ricerca (MUR); Schweizerischer Nationalfonds (SNF); The Swedish Research Council for Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning (FORMAS)
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Jennifer Anderson; Dr. Andreas Bruder; Dr. Isabel Fernandes; Dr. Laura Garzoli; Professor Dr. Veljo Kisand; Dr. Leho Tedersoo