Aquatic fungal biodiversity: developing knowledge and strategies to inform conservation priorities and measures

Aquatic fungi (AF) ensure the health, function, and resilience of freshwater and estuarine ecosystems.

Yet, their biodiversity is overlooked and largely unknown and they are excluded from all major conservation plans and policies.

It is unlikely that current protected areas (PAs) are optimally located for sustaining AF diversity and their vital ecosystem functions.

In FUNACTION, we will build knowledge about AF taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity to develop AF-aware strategies for conservation.

We will i) build a pan-European map of AF biodiversity to identify patterns and their drivers to support data-driven conservation; ii) Assess AF diversity in PA vs.

Non-PA to test PA suitability and effectiveness in protecting AF; iii) build knowledge needed for AF monitoring and conservation; and iv) effectively engage and communicate with the public and stakeholders. FUNACTION partners in SE, EE, DE, IT, PT, and CH will study AF diversity at ~500 sites in 26 countries.

With IUCN teammates (CH) and our Global Center for Species Survival Partner/team (US) we will translate the data into conservation-relevant outcomes and communicate them directly to the global conservation community. Anderson (SE) initiated and leads the FUNACTION consortium. Sweden will have the most study sites/country (90) located in the Luleälven, Indalsälven, and Norrström watersheds.

Thus Sweden will be world-leaders in enabling conservation of AF diversity.