https://funaction.eu Funaction Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:30:53 +0000 https://funaction.eu en https://funaction.eu/header Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:08:52 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/header Aquatic fungal biodiversity Developing knowledge and strategies to inform conservation priorities and measures Research overview ︎︎︎ https://funaction.eu/featured-articles-copy Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:30:53 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/featured-articles-copy /* ===== Cards de artigos ===== */ /* === Equal height por linha (mantendo o layout atual) === */ .cards-grid[grid-row]{ display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; align-items: stretch; /* força as colunas a esticarem igual */ } .cards-grid[grid-row] > [grid-col]{ display: flex; /* cada coluna vira um flex item */ } .cards-grid [grid-col] .card{ display: flex; flex-direction: column; width: 100%; /* card ocupa 100% da coluna */ } /* opcional: imagem um pouco mais “wide” em desktop (ajuda a estabilizar a proporção visual do card) */ @media (min-width: 769px){ .card-image{ aspect-ratio: 4 / 3; } /* antes era 1/1 */ } .cards-grid [grid-col] { margin-bottom: 2rem; } .card { display: block; /* card inteiro clicável via */ text-decoration: none; color: inherit; background: #fff; border: 0px solid #e5e5e5; padding: 1rem 1rem 1.25rem 1rem; transition: background-color .2s ease, box-shadow .1s ease, border-color .2s ease; } .card:hover { background: #f1f1f1; /* cor FUNACTION no hover */ border-color: #f5f5f5; box-shadow: 0 10px 24px rgba(0,0,0,.08); } .card-image { position: relative; overflow: hidden; /* mantém o zoom dentro do frame */ aspect-ratio: 1 / 1; /* quadrado; troque se quiser 4/3, 16/9 etc. */ margin-bottom: .75rem; } .card-image img, .card-image figure img { width: 100%; height: 100%; object-fit: cover; display: block; transform: scale(1); transition: transform .2s ease; } .card:hover .card-image img, .card:hover .card-image figure img { transform: scale(1.06); /* zoom leve */ } .card-meta { display: inline-block; margin-bottom: .5rem; } .card-title { font-weight: 800; line-height: 1.2; margin: .25rem 0 .25rem 0; } .card-desc { margin: 0; line-height: 1.35; } .card-arrow { display: inline-block; transform: translateX(0); transition: transform .25s ease; margin-right: .5rem; } .card:hover .card-arrow { transform: translateX(4px); } /* responsivo: afrouxa padding em telas pequenas */ @media (max-width: 768px) { .card { padding: .75rem; } .card-image { aspect-ratio: 4 / 3; } } Aquatic fungi are an important part of the aquatic ecosystem and play a fundamental role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. These fungi are found in all kind of aquatic environments including lakes, rivers, streams, swamps, and oceans. The following four articles summarise the key questions guiding FUNACTION research. <img width="1200" height="1200" width_o="1200" height_o="1200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/71a5c529ae9c0a1b2517166ed0b6c79a79a8e18be2049f9e97e477d83815fe58/aquatic-funghi-enrivonment.jpg" data-mid="239398776" border="0" data-no-zoom alt="Photo: Andreas Bruder" data-caption="Photo: Andreas Bruder" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/71a5c529ae9c0a1b2517166ed0b6c79a79a8e18be2049f9e97e477d83815fe58/aquatic-funghi-enrivonment.jpg" /> → What are aquatic fungi? Aquatic fungi rely on aquatic habitats for the whole or part of their life cycle. <img width="1200" height="1200" width_o="1200" height_o="1200" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/43362ba185e4b7a0b982739e3b0de3bc6bcfe10f0a0fd255e67b0f3913b554da/aquatic-fungi-culture_IsabelFernandes.jpg" data-mid="239398775" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/43362ba185e4b7a0b982739e3b0de3bc6bcfe10f0a0fd255e67b0f3913b554da/aquatic-fungi-culture_IsabelFernandes.jpg" /> → Why is conservation of aquatic fungi important? Aquatic fungi provide us with important ecosystem services. <img width="1308" height="1310" width_o="1308" height_o="1310" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/178145eaf52dc4121cda273baf4f95d62bf61549a8a0f0eec9be20c1e0056c1b/Ritom-S4-IF-12-2.jpg" data-mid="239398777" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/178145eaf52dc4121cda273baf4f95d62bf61549a8a0f0eec9be20c1e0056c1b/Ritom-S4-IF-12-2.jpg" /> → Current status of aquatic fungi conservation The era of aquatic fungi conservation is just starting <img width="1200" height="1202" width_o="1200" height_o="1202" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/7a456138b96c0de26f352039728246fe7673c2cc6f8696dfaf9571c9fb471184/af.jpg" data-mid="239398778" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/7a456138b96c0de26f352039728246fe7673c2cc6f8696dfaf9571c9fb471184/af.jpg" /> → How does aquatic fungi conservation compare to other current conservation activities? To date there are zero aquatic fungi on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species https://funaction.eu/resources-1 Mon, 13 Oct 2025 12:45:55 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/resources-1 Resources Outputs <img width="555" height="333" width_o="555" height_o="333" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/8954783db23d46e00c1b4780f0c33efc5823277bc6cf55ad99bd59593e869cc9/zenodo_funaction-ezgif.com-optimize.gif" data-mid="239324563" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/555/i/8954783db23d46e00c1b4780f0c33efc5823277bc6cf55ad99bd59593e869cc9/zenodo_funaction-ezgif.com-optimize.gif" />︎︎︎Explore the FUNACTION Zenodo community: open-access datasets, code, and papers on fungal functions and ecosystem processes, curated by researchers and updated regularly. <img width="794" height="1118" width_o="794" height_o="1118" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/14c63a545b7d571ccc539d1089aa1d1b95fbaa2e400ee7315e6d6de7d224ebc3/data-management-plan-funaction.jpg" data-mid="239325775" border="0" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/794/i/14c63a545b7d571ccc539d1089aa1d1b95fbaa2e400ee7315e6d6de7d224ebc3/data-management-plan-funaction.jpg" />︎︎︎ Data Management Plan sets shared rules for data use, sharing, storage, and access; aligns with FAIR and EU standards; guides deposition in repositories; and remains a living document updated as needed. <img width="555" height="333" width_o="555" height_o="333" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f4c9fadabd02c95716402966dfc61e225cbd1a92f18bc624dc3500135e748d32/Engagement-comm-plan-ezgif.com-optimize.gif" data-mid="239325451" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/555/i/f4c9fadabd02c95716402966dfc61e225cbd1a92f18bc624dc3500135e748d32/Engagement-comm-plan-ezgif.com-optimize.gif" />︎︎︎ Engagement Communication Plan sets shared expectations for internal/external comms, meets consortium goals, guides planning and review, and remains a living document updated as needed. <img width="398" height="400" width_o="398" height_o="400" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/81f779eb22b28b280035b423ee56adcc551eab4cf6f138d0a89f363cfea4aa73/Aquatic_mushroom-min.jpg" data-mid="239326061" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/398/i/81f779eb22b28b280035b423ee56adcc551eab4cf6f138d0a89f363cfea4aa73/Aquatic_mushroom-min.jpg" /> <img width="400" height="400" width_o="400" height_o="400" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4151492e2292aa8a25e66a81f74155b9e3faca1431d2864924ddcfb2417d080d/Buffer_zone-min.jpg" data-mid="239326062" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/400/i/4151492e2292aa8a25e66a81f74155b9e3faca1431d2864924ddcfb2417d080d/Buffer_zone-min.jpg" /> <img width="400" height="400" width_o="400" height_o="400" 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data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3bd0b458213eec6432c7761c09823a5fac036f25d43ffd79bad7e0f7ca4446e8/Fungi_spores1--min.jpg" data-mid="239326068" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/400/i/3bd0b458213eec6432c7761c09823a5fac036f25d43ffd79bad7e0f7ca4446e8/Fungi_spores1--min.jpg" /> <img width="400" height="399" width_o="400" height_o="399" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/3dfdbd1e3a87b1a261d9b1b172a98f1c0f5015961f30fe58a93b114a0b53524b/Fungi_spores2jpg-min.jpg" data-mid="239326069" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/400/i/3dfdbd1e3a87b1a261d9b1b172a98f1c0f5015961f30fe58a93b114a0b53524b/Fungi_spores2jpg-min.jpg" /> <img width="400" height="400" width_o="400" height_o="400" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a8dcfdd7d47fb8d574d1ae0e502ff48c4ccfec03818ee6be73c7fbf495b34c31/Maple_leaf-min.jpg" data-mid="239326071" border="0" 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data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a3e4032d24327cc57fc02b88ffcda7c8812be451e8b5111fa0f8d76c6cb5fff6/School_of_fish-min.jpg" data-mid="239326074" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/400/i/a3e4032d24327cc57fc02b88ffcda7c8812be451e8b5111fa0f8d76c6cb5fff6/School_of_fish-min.jpg" /> <img width="400" height="400" width_o="400" height_o="400" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/632c40cfa938e84a9f640a2770ddaa9fb6d15afdc05cf501521cd1803f1871fc/Spiderweb-min.jpg" data-mid="239326075" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/400/i/632c40cfa938e84a9f640a2770ddaa9fb6d15afdc05cf501521cd1803f1871fc/Spiderweb-min.jpg" /> <img width="400" height="400" width_o="400" height_o="400" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/86893d0fe35c95eb898a60806b16e78aeda2ebb50280008a8f1eba679143c479/Wagtail-min.jpg" data-mid="239326076" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/400/i/86893d0fe35c95eb898a60806b16e78aeda2ebb50280008a8f1eba679143c479/Wagtail-min.jpg" /> ︎︎︎Aquatic Fungi in Nature—Memory Game: printable cards for outreach/teaching (ages 3+). Shows ecosystem roles and conservation links. Includes 15 graphics and an intro with tips and instructions. Videos International Day of Biological Diversity 2025: discover aquatic fungi—their diversity, roles, and why conserving them matters. Masterclass on Key Biodiversity Areas for fungi: methods, criteria, and how fungal data guides site-based conservation. “Red Listing for Fungi”: concepts, criteria, and workflows to assess extinction risk and inform conservation action. Aquatic Fungi Diversity: expert talks on diversity, ecology, and significance of aquatic fungi, plus Q&amp;A. Systematic conservation planning for freshwater—tools, challenges, and opportunities to protect rivers and lakes. Pubblications Canteiro, C., Fernandes, I., Ferrari, E., Kisand, V., Retter, A., Romero Mujalli, D., &amp; Anderson, J. L. (2024). FUNACTION Data Management Plan. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11073579 Fernandes, I., Anderson, J. L., Bruder, A., Garzoli, L., Kisand, V., Grossart, H.-P., Retter, A., &amp; Böhm, M. (2025). FUNACTION Engagement Communication Plan. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14768667Jansson Klintberg, U., WANG, Z., Davies, L., &amp; Anderson, J. L. (2025). Aquatic Fungi in Nature - Memory Game (1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14727817 Wang, Z., Davies, L., &amp; Anderson, J. (2025). Matching Game: Nutrient recycling in aquatic environment vs. daily life recycling (1.0). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14730774 Other resources&nbsp; Other important websites to know about: Only aquaticsIUCN SSC Aquatic Fungi SG: https://iucn.org/our-union/commissions/group/iucn-ssc-aquatic-fungi-specialist-group Freshwater Ascomycete Database: https://fungi.life.illinois.edu/ Freshwater Fungi: https://www.freshwaterfungi.org/ Marine Fungi: https://www.marinefungi.org/ Mixed - with great aquatics! Asco France: http://www.ascofrance.com/ Systematics Collections Data, New Zealand:&nbsp; https://scd.landcareresearch.co.nz/ https://funaction.eu/researchers Thu, 30 Mar 2023 08:02:47 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/researchers FUNACTION is more than the sum of the competences and efforts of eight partners: <img width="524" height="477" width_o="524" height_o="477" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/70fcc9b7091092d6fa51fb340b1e3ff91e5de01571e68f6568b6d049eb1dc9f5/SLU_logotyp_internationellt.jpg" data-mid="175603974" border="0" data-scale="6" data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/524/i/70fcc9b7091092d6fa51fb340b1e3ff91e5de01571e68f6568b6d049eb1dc9f5/SLU_logotyp_internationellt.jpg" />&nbsp; Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden SLU is a world-class international university with research, education and environmental assessment within the sciences for sustainable life. Its principal sites are in Alnarp, Umeå and&nbsp;Uppsala, but activities are also conducted at research stations,&nbsp;experimental parks and educational establishments throughout&nbsp;Sweden. We bring together people who have different perspectives,&nbsp;but they all have one and the same goal: to create the best&nbsp;conditions for a sustainable, thriving and better world. Research team: Jennifer Anderson Researcher at Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Division of Microbial Ecology, project coordinator ︎︎︎ Olga Vinnere Pettersson National Genomics Infrastructure - SciLifeLab, Scientific Lead for Planetary Biology at SciLifeLab Ziming Wang &nbsp; Postdoctoral Researcher at Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Division of Microbial Ecology ︎︎︎ <img width="785" height="480" width_o="785" height_o="480" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f27702f35f66e91f04c135eb9e744ff03364d11d4d8d8999f6e000b7f68e6b5d/7_UMinho-6587a46e.png" data-mid="173775359" border="0" data-scale="6" data-no-zoom data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/785/i/f27702f35f66e91f04c135eb9e744ff03364d11d4d8d8999f6e000b7f68e6b5d/7_UMinho-6587a46e.png" />&nbsp; University of Minho, Portugal The University of Minho (UMinho) is a young university founded in 1973. UMinho is one of the most prestigious Portuguese higher education institutions, and is gradually becoming more prominent internationally. The UMinho team belongs also to the Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) a centre with the mission to deliver excellence in research and postgraduate training in Biological Sciences, while fostering scientific literacy and knowledge transfer to stakeholders at national and international levels. Research team: Isabel Fernandes Researcher at&nbsp; University of Minho and Researcher at the Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) ︎︎︎ Ronaldo Sousa Associate Professor with Habilitation at University of Minho and Researcher at the Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) ︎︎︎ Diana Graça &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Research Assistant at University of Minho and Researcher at the Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) ︎︎︎ <img width="627" height="180" width_o="627" height_o="180" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/68f951cb42a0e2c091a3946fe62f3ab72ae401e8a9947e425a97ad1959fa7f46/Logo_of_SUPSI_Scuola_universitaria_professionale_della_Svizzera_italiana_02.jpg" data-mid="173775687" border="0" data-scale="3" data-no-zoom data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/627/i/68f951cb42a0e2c091a3946fe62f3ab72ae401e8a9947e425a97ad1959fa7f46/Logo_of_SUPSI_Scuola_universitaria_professionale_della_Svizzera_italiana_02.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp; University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland, Switzerland SUPSI's Institute for Microbiology does research and services in the fields of microbial ecology and biodiversity, public health, environmental hygiene, and biotechnology in a unified vision of microbiology that considers human, animal and environmental health following a "one health" perspective. &nbsp; Research team: Andreas Bruder&nbsp; Senior Researcher at Institute of Microbiology of SUPSI ︎︎︎ Catherine Sayer Programme Officer, Freshwater Biodiversity Unit / Global Species Programme IUCN, Cambridge, UK ︎︎︎ Thomas Starnes&nbsp; Key Biodiversity Areas Program Officer at IUCN, Cambridge, UK ︎︎︎ James Westrip IUCN Red List Unit, Cambridge, UK ︎︎︎ Communication team: Max da Rocha Fonseca Scientific collaborator at Institute of design of SUPSI ︎︎︎ <img width="2229" height="568" width_o="2229" height_o="568" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f6a278b7627e22a6fdd0443eaae825256741fefc41b3de211f95273ba4350c67/168056_tartu_ylikool-logo_ja_v2rvid-cmyk-03_copy_0.png" data-mid="173776481" border="0" data-scale="4" data-no-zoom data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f6a278b7627e22a6fdd0443eaae825256741fefc41b3de211f95273ba4350c67/168056_tartu_ylikool-logo_ja_v2rvid-cmyk-03_copy_0.png" />&nbsp; University of Tartu, Estonia The University of Tartu is Estonia's largest and oldest university, founded in 1632. As Estonia's national university, it serves as the center of the country's academic spirit. Renowned for its strong research capabilities, the university promotes education and research worldwide. More than 17,000 people work and study at the university, contributing to its vibrant academic community. Our team is particularly interested in exploring various aspects of aquatic fungi, with a focus on global patterns of fungal biodiversity and ecology. We aim to understand diversity patterns by illustrating how the taxonomic and phylogenetic diversity of aquatic fungi are distributed globally. This research is crucial for understanding the ecological roles of aquatic fungi and their interactions with other organisms. By identifying the drivers of aquatic fungal diversity, our studies provide valuable insights for the conservation and management of fungal biodiversity, which is essential for maintaining ecosystem health and resilience. This collaboration enhances the overall knowledge base, supporting efforts to preserve and protect poorly known elements of biological diversity, such as aquatic fungi. Research team: Leho Tedersoo Professor at Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Tartu ︎︎︎ Victoria Prins Ph.D. Student – Junior Researcher at Institute of Earth Sciences, University of Tartu ︎︎︎ Kadri Runnel Researcher in Conservation Biology and Mycology, University of Tartu ︎︎︎ Veljo Kisand Senior Researcher at the Institute of Technology, University of Tartu ︎︎︎ Kristel Panksep Researcher at the Institute of Technology, University of Tartu ︎︎︎ <img width="407" height="124" width_o="407" height_o="124" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/75ab2965e0d9a191b36018da312fa13b5299cbf2bbca134c6e235e2bf416a752/download-2.png" data-mid="173776832" border="0" data-scale="4" data-no-zoom data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/407/i/75ab2965e0d9a191b36018da312fa13b5299cbf2bbca134c6e235e2bf416a752/download-2.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp; Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Germany IGB is Germany’s largest and one of the leading international centres for freshwater research. It is also one of the oldest institutions in this field. The roots of the predecessor institutions can be traced back to the end of the 19th century. Today, science at IGB covers a wide range of disciplines – from hydrology, physics, geography, ecology and evolution to socio-ecology, from molecular biology to the study of entire ecosystems and catchments, and from microbial ecology to fish behaviour.&nbsp;Our findings and methods provide&nbsp;an excellent basis to&nbsp;train&nbsp;young scientists and to promote an open knowledge exchange with society. Thus, we contribute to coping&nbsp;with&nbsp;ecological and societal challenges, such as the adaptation to global change, the conservation of aquatic biodiversity and the sustainable use and management of inland waters. IGB is an institute of the Forschungsverbund Berlin e.V. and Germany’s Leibniz Association. It closely collaborates with numerous national and international universities and other partners in science and society. Research team: Hans-Peter Grossart &nbsp;&nbsp; Professor in aquatic microbial ecology at IGB Stechlin ︎︎︎ Alice Retter &nbsp; &nbsp; Postdoc in aquatic microbial ecology at IGB Berlin ︎︎︎ Solvig Pinnow &nbsp; Research Technicianin aquatic microbial ecology at IGB Stechlin ︎︎︎ <img width="546" height="148" width_o="546" height_o="148" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/a071b4db3ece184b6f8041b888428eee9d7c698e609f6d559b7f2019d37261ca/cnrlogo.png" data-mid="173777036" border="0" data-scale="4" data-no-zoom data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/546/i/a071b4db3ece184b6f8041b888428eee9d7c698e609f6d559b7f2019d37261ca/cnrlogo.png" />&nbsp;&nbsp; National Research Council, Italy &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; The Water Research Institute (Istituto di Ricerca Sulle Acque - IRSA) of the National Research Council of Italy (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche - CNR) focuses on aquatic resources, including biodiversity conservation. Several research activities of the institute involve the study of microscopic aquatic diversity, to understand the functions and interactions that microscopic organisms, like aquatic fungi, have in the environment. FUNACTION will bring together our expertise in biodiversity, systematics, taxonomy,&nbsp;and ecology of microscopic aquatic organisms with the aim of preserving a poorly known element of biological diversity like aquatic fungi. Research team: Laura Garzoli Researcher at the Molecular Ecology Group (MEG) at the CNR-IRSA of Verbania ︎︎︎ Ester Maria Eckert Researcher at the Molecular Ecology Group (MEG) at the CNR-IRSA of Verbania ︎︎︎ Emanuele Ferrari Researcher at the Molecular Ecology Group (MEG) at the CNR-IRSA of Verbania ︎︎︎ Diego Fontaneto Researcher at the Molecular Ecology Group (MEG) at the CNR-IRSA of Verbania ︎︎︎ Selene Chinaglia Postdoctoral researcher at the Molecular Ecology Group (MEG) at the CNR-IRSA of Verbania ︎︎︎ Pietro Marchese Postdoctoral researcher at the Molecular Ecology Group (MEG) at the CNR-IRSA of Verbania ︎︎︎ <img width="360" height="276" width_o="360" height_o="276" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/0f3316864a700c0e64ca046eeba268ec99c68c7c3436f18f7eeec9478dfa5a0f/7424528-logo.jpg" data-mid="173777598" border="0" data-scale="5" data-no-zoom data-icon-mode src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/360/i/0f3316864a700c0e64ca046eeba268ec99c68c7c3436f18f7eeec9478dfa5a0f/7424528-logo.jpg" />&nbsp;&nbsp; Indianapolis Zoological Society, United States of America The Global Center for Species Survival at the Indianapolis Zoo is a partnership with the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC). It supports, connects and communicates the work of more than 10,500 conservationists joined together in the 167 Specialist Groups, Task Forces and Conservation Committees of the IUCN SSC, and aims to catalyse lasting positive outcomes for species conservation. Research team: Monika Bohm Freshwater Coordinator at Global Center for Species Survival, Indianapolis Zoo ︎︎︎ Former members Cátia Canteiro Plants and Fungi Conservation Coordinator at Global Center for Species Survival, Indianapolis Zoo ︎︎︎ Michael Bruun-Nielsen Field Assistant at Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Division of Microbial Ecology Sergio Costa &nbsp; Master Student at at University of Minho and Researcher at the Centre of Molecular and Environmental Biology (CBMA) https://funaction.eu/intro Thu, 30 Mar 2023 07:11:34 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/intro Freshwater and estuarine ecosystems are home to a large diversity of organisms, provide essential ecological services, and are fundamentally important for human health, culture, recreation, and economy. Although data are still limited, we know that these highly threatened habitats harbour over 9500 threatened or near threatened species of all kinds. Need for species conservationThreats to aquatic habitats will intensify with climate change and increasing human pressure. Massive efforts to document and protect biodiversity are underway across Europe (e.g. the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, European Green Deal).Aquatic fungi are vitally important to the health, function, and resilience of freshwater and estuarine ecosystems, but not included in any major conservation plan or policy. Today zero aquatic fungi are among the &gt;35,000 species from freshwater and estuaries on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and the data needed to support their conservation are not yet available. https://funaction.eu/highlight Thu, 30 Mar 2023 15:07:49 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/highlight FUNACTION aims to build the capacity to conserve aquatic fungi: knowledge, awareness &amp; tools ︎︎︎&nbsp; https://funaction.eu/Goals Sat, 29 Apr 2023 12:20:18 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/Goals How does FUNACTION contribute to solving this conservation gap? For the first time, FUNACTION brings together scientists and conservationists from across Europe and USA into a transnational consortium with the aim to "conservation-enable'' these important fungi. The project will build knowledge about the taxonomic, phylogenetic and functional diversity of aquatic fungi to develop strategies for their conservation. Specific objectives of FUNACTION include: producing the knowledge base needed for aquatic fungi-aware conservation actions translating that knowledge into conservation planning and monitoring tools for aquatic fungi increasing awareness about aquatic fungi and the role they play in our freshwater and estuarine ecosystems&nbsp; supporting inclusivity and participation in conservation engaging with stakeholders to produce a useful scientific basis for effective implementation of conservation actions. <img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5cbed2c5ff35802d4ffa9c3a93440f79d61b34343c02573ac6af28be79e8e58d/1Piora_01102020.jpg" data-mid="177144659" border="0" data-scale="67" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5cbed2c5ff35802d4ffa9c3a93440f79d61b34343c02573ac6af28be79e8e58d/1Piora_01102020.jpg" /> Sampling aquatic fungi from alpine streamsPhoto: Isabel Fernandes https://funaction.eu/evidenza Thu, 30 Mar 2023 07:41:19 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/evidenza <img width="1080" height="1080" width_o="1080" height_o="1080" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/dc2f09aa2cd7099bd08c40b680b3554874b8103b41803219cedae42bc5479413/Funaction_Logo.png" data-mid="173822583" border="0" data-scale="100" data-no-zoom src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/dc2f09aa2cd7099bd08c40b680b3554874b8103b41803219cedae42bc5479413/Funaction_Logo.png" /> For the first time, thanks to advances in molecular and sequencing technologies and the combined expertise of the FUNACTION consortium, we can build knowledge about aquatic fungi diversity to develop conservation strategies that account for aquatic fungi. https://funaction.eu/WPs Thu, 30 Mar 2023 09:15:43 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/WPs 5 complementary work packages to face the challenge WP1 Continental patterns in aquatic fungal biodiversity&nbsp; We will identify proximal causes and effects of aquatic fungal biodiversity to answer burning questions like: how is the biodiversity of aquatic fungi distributed across Europe? What are the factors that shape their distributions (e.g. barriers to dispersal, latitudinal gradients, temperature)? Where are priority areas for conservation of aquatic fungi species?&nbsp; WP2 Multinational study to test the effectiveness of existing protected areas (PAs) In a coordinated multinational study we will test three fundamental questions: Are PAs co-located with biodiversity hotspots of aquatic fungi? Do PAs outperform non-protected areas for maintaining aquatic fungal biodiversity and functioning? Are existing PAs, designed for plants, animals, and specific habitats, effective for maintaining aquatic fungal biodiversity and functioning? WP3 Systematic conservation planning using aquatic fungi How can conservation planning be optimized to protect aquatic fungi? Which anthropogenic impacts affect aquatic fungal biodiversity and can be addressed in conservation planning? How do aquatic fungal biodiversity hotspots align with distributions of other aquatic eukaryotes? WP4 Developing monitoring of aquatic fungal biodiversity and related ecosystem functions What is the best approach for monitoring aquatic fungal biodiversity? Can monitoring efforts be maximized by sampling a particular season or habitat? Capitalizing on the case studies in WP2 we will elaborate effective and efficient methods for monitoring and&nbsp; conservation planning of aquatic fungi. WP5 Effective engagement, communication, and dissemination of information The FUNACTION consortium will prioritize effective engagement with the public, stakeholders, and the scientific community to build awareness of aquatic fungal biodiversity and the vital roles aquatic fungi play in maintaining healthy, functioning, and valuable ecosystems. Thereby we will offer people reasons to care. https://funaction.eu/what-are-af Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:01:38 +0000 Funaction https://funaction.eu/what-are-af <img width="3000" height="1000" width_o="3000" height_o="1000" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fc9d99fd98cdd7053a4388f765c912323e602ce614c658e1cc417eb2bfab9e9c/What-are-aquatic-fungi.jpg" data-mid="175623122" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fc9d99fd98cdd7053a4388f765c912323e602ce614c658e1cc417eb2bfab9e9c/What-are-aquatic-fungi.jpg" /> What are aquatic fungi? Aquatic fungi form a morphologically, phylogenetically and ecologically diverse group. We broadly define aquatic fungi as fungi that rely on aquatic habitats for the whole or part of their life cycle. Aquatic fungi are microscopic organisms with mostly mycelial growth and hyphae developing on or within their typically submerged organic substrates of plant or animal origin. Often they have special adaptations for growth, sporulation, and dispersal in aquatic environments.&nbsp; Aquatic fungi are ecologically diverse (incl. decomposers, endophytes, symbionts, predators, parasites, pathogens), and influence food web dynamics and ecosystem functioning through interactions with all trophic levels. Currently there are more than 3000 species of freshwater fungi described. <img width="1921" height="1921" width_o="1921" height_o="1921" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/359089bc530f1a42ce4b33ab0164205d7e97c63a4ceb86aaf5bd66132ec73493/Mycelium_cropped.jpg" data-mid="176820252" border="0" data-rotation="90" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/359089bc530f1a42ce4b33ab0164205d7e97c63a4ceb86aaf5bd66132ec73493/Mycelium_cropped.jpg" />Mycelium of an aquatic fungus Photo: Andreas Bruder <img width="3000" height="1688" width_o="3000" height_o="1688" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/fe60a57e79318041ac689406573a6066f33e3dbe9a30e03afabd19106b8b81a2/aquaticenvi.jpg" data-mid="175623025" border="0" data-scale="85" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/fe60a57e79318041ac689406573a6066f33e3dbe9a30e03afabd19106b8b81a2/aquaticenvi.jpg" />A stream in the Montagne Noire forest, southern France. This is a typical habitat for aquatic fungi Photo: Andreas Bruder