We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Fungi in Freshwaters: Prioritising Aquatic Hyphomycetes in Conservation Goals
Summary
This review highlights the underrepresentation of aquatic hyphomycetes in freshwater conservation frameworks, arguing that these key ecosystem decomposers lack the protection afforded to other biodiversity groups. The authors call for a global biodiversity database and improved understanding of rare and endangered aquatic fungal species to support more holistic conservation goals.
Deprivation of protection for aquatic hyphomycetes is disturbing because they are key players in freshwater ecosystems across the globe. To attain a more holistic conservation paradigm for biodiversity in freshwaters, it is necessary to broaden our ecological perception of microfungi, mainly in aquatic hyphomycetes. A considerable groundwork still needs to be accomplished in progressing towards conserving aquatic hyphomycetes. Overcoming the paucity of information regarding the rare and endangered species, biogeography and above all, a global biodiversity database, would be a significant contribution in the initiation of an overarching conservation strategy for aquatic hyphomycetes. Being aware that the biodiversity decline in freshwaters is alarming, here we seek to explore why biodiversity data of aquatic hyphomycetes are missing. This article closely examines the threats to the biodiversity of aquatic hyphomycetes and freshwater ecosystems. Moving forward, we advocate a structured approach to gaining a thorough understanding to embrace aquatic hyphomycetes biodiversity into the conservation strategies. Including aquatic hyphomycetes in the conservation objectives may attract more funding opportunities for global surveys to initiate a fungal inclusive conservation era. Fungal conservation ventures can profit from interdisciplinary collaborations and cutting-edge science and technology, leading to informed decision making for biodiversity assessment and management.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Aquatic fungi: largely neglected targets for conservation
This paper argues that aquatic fungi are vastly understudied and underprotected, despite playing critical roles in decomposition, nutrient cycling, and food webs in freshwater and marine ecosystems. Aquatic fungi may be vulnerable to plastic pollution and other anthropogenic stressors but are not targeted by most conservation policies. Greater research attention and conservation action are needed for this largely neglected group.
Microplastic effects in aquatic ecosystems with special reference to fungi–zooplankton interaction: identification of knowledge gaps and prioritization of research needs
This review identifies a largely unexplored gap in microplastic research: how plastic pollution affects aquatic fungi and their interactions with zooplankton. Because fungi play critical roles in breaking down dead organic matter and serving as food for zooplankton, disruptions caused by microplastics — which can physically resemble fungal spores in size — could have cascading effects on freshwater food webs and nutrient cycling. The authors call for targeted experiments to fill this knowledge gap and better predict ecosystem-level impacts of microplastic contamination.
Aquatic yeasts: diversity, characteristics and potential health implications
This review examined the diversity, characteristics, and potential health implications of aquatic yeasts, highlighting that some species isolated from water environments are known pathogens or carry antifungal resistance traits, and arguing that current water quality standards using only bacteria as indicators may be insufficient.
Microplastics alter composition of fungal communities in aquatic ecosystems
This study examined how microplastics affect fungal communities in rivers, the Baltic Sea, and a wastewater treatment plant, finding that plastics altered fungal diversity and community composition. The results suggest microplastics can disrupt aquatic fungal ecology, with potential downstream effects on nutrient cycling and ecosystem function.
Fungal Diversity in Two Wastewater Treatment Plants in North Italy
Researchers characterized fungal diversity in two wastewater treatment plants in northern Italy, finding diverse communities including molds and yeasts whose composition varied with treatment stage and influent quality, suggesting fungi may play underappreciated roles in contaminant removal including potential interactions with microplastics.