Mapping the Hidden World: A New Global Atlas Reveals Earth's Fungal Biodiversity Hotspots
For centuries, humans have mapped mountains, rivers, and forests. But beneath our feet lies an invisible, vital world that has remained largely unknown—until now.
In a historic breakthrough, scientists have created the first high-resolution global atlas of underground fungal biodiversity, revealing hotspots of mycorrhizal fungi that play critical roles in ecosystem health, climate regulation, and the future of life on Earth.
Let’s explore what this groundbreaking project uncovered—and why it matters more than ever.
What Is the Underground Fungal Atlas?
Led by the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN), this international project analyzed:
2.8 billion environmental DNA sequences
Collected from 40,000+ soil samples
Across 130 countries
Covering 95,000 species of mycorrhizal fungi
Using machine learning, researchers mapped global fungal diversity on a 1km² resolution, distinguishing between the two major types:
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM) – common in grasslands, crops, and tropical forests
Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EcM) – prevalent in temperate forests, forming key partnerships with trees like oaks and pines
Surprising Fungal Hotspots Revealed
Some of the richest underground fungal zones didn’t match traditional biodiversity maps. Among the most unexpected fungal hotspots:
The Alaskan tundra
Mediterranean woodlands
The Brazilian Cerrado savanna (not the Amazon)
Coastal West Africa
Ethiopia’s Simien Mountains
These regions host rare and diverse fungal communities, many of which are under imminent threat—and over 90% of them are currently unprotected.
Why Underground Fungi Matter
We tend to think of fungi as mushrooms we can see—but the real power of fungi lies underground. Mycorrhizal fungi form networks with plant roots, creating a "planetary circulatory system" that:
Transports water and nutrients
Supports forest regeneration
Stabilizes soils
Enhances plant health and crop yields
Stores over 13 billion tons of carbon dioxide annually
This makes fungal networks essential to ecosystem resilience, climate regulation, and food security.
“For centuries, we’ve mapped mountains, forests, and oceans. But these fungi have remained in the dark… Now, we’re finally shining a light on the underground.”
— Dr. Toby Kiers, Executive Director of SPUN
A Conservation Blind Spot
One of the most sobering findings: while global conservation efforts have focused on plants and animals, fungal hotspots have been almost entirely overlooked.
📉 Less than 10% of critical underground fungal zones are currently protected.
This mismatch could severely limit the effectiveness of rewilding projects and climate adaptation strategies unless we include underground biodiversity in the equation.
The Atlas in Action: A Tool for Restoration and Policy
The Underground Atlas is now open access, providing scientists, policymakers, and the public with:
Interactive global maps of fungal biodiversity
Tools to identify priority conservation and restoration areas
Visualization of rare fungal species distributions
“Uncertainty maps” to guide future research where sampling is sparse
This platform could inform:
New conservation areas and habitat corridors
Rewilding and ecosystem recovery plans
Climate mitigation policies focused on soil health and carbon storage
“The idea is to ensure underground biodiversity becomes as fundamental to environmental decision-making as satellite imagery.”
— Jason Cremerius, Chief Strategy Officer, SPUN
What Happens Next?
The Atlas isn’t just a scientific achievement—it’s a call to action.
Policymakers, land managers, and environmental organizations now have concrete, location-specific data to help:
Protect hidden biodiversity
Improve ecological restoration
Expand global conservation frameworks to include fungi
This research also has potential to shift global frameworks like the UN's 30x30 biodiversity initiative, which seeks to protect 30% of the planet’s land and water by 2030.
Final Thoughts: From Mushroom Fans to Fungal Guardians
At MO’ Mushrooms, we’ve long believed in the power and magic of fungi, but this new atlas proves something even bigger:
The future of climate stability, food security, and planetary health depends on what’s happening beneath our feet.
If you care about mushrooms, forests, farming, or the planet’s survival—this is your moment to become a fungal advocate.
Check out the interactive atlas at SPUN’s Underground Atlas, and consider how fungi can play a deeper role in your work, farm, or community.
