The innovative approach

Indeed, air, however intangible, carries with it a real treasure: it is rich in DNA. By sampling it in 47 places on the planet (from South Africa to Japan, from Europe to Siberia; Luigi Paolo D’Acqui and Stefano Ventura, researchers at CNR-Iret, worked on the Svalbard Islands), the researchers drew important conclusions about one of the most diverse and ecologically important kingdoms-that of fungi-about life.

First, it was found that the occurrence and seasonal variation of many fungi is influenced by climatic and evolutionary factors. This will be of particular use in the years to come in monitoring and predicting biodiversity change.

Second, the sampling, which included numerous fungal forms (including lichens, molds, and yeasts) led to a greater understanding of their distribution and ecological mechanisms-information that will also prove useful for future ecosystem protection actions.

Proposals for the future

In the future, the study authors recommend, it will also be strategic to further investigate DNA analysis of fungi important to humans, agriculture, forests and animals, including pathogenic species, to better understand their distribution, relative abundance and impact on the environment.