Abstract:
Yunnan, a recognized biodiversity hotspot, harbors a rich diversity of microfungi. However, this diversity is under threat due to various detrimental activities, including intensified land use, population growth, environmental exploitation, pollution, invasive species, and the challenges posed by climate change. These pressures may result in the extinction of numerous species unable to adapt swiftly enough to the changing environment, prompting a sense of urgency within the research community as future opportunities for study may be compromised. Furthermore, the incidence of new and emerging plant fungal infections is increasing, particularly in the context of land use change, yet it has largely evaded detection due to inadequate methods. To effectively address the existing knowledge gaps pertaining to the emergence of fungal pathogens associated with land use change, an interdisciplinary research approach is imperative. While the last few decades have witnessed the publication and reclassification of microfungi occurring on different substrates in the Yunnan region, with the description of many novel species, fundamental information on these fungi, such as their taxonomic diversity, molecular phylogeny, ecological roles, and biogeographic distributions, remains scarce throughout Yunnan Province. Despite their significance and value, no concerted effort has been made to map the distribution of these microfungal groups or investigate the impacts of biophysical variables on their distribution within the province. Understanding how these communities respond to external pressures, such as land use conversion, is essential. Moreover, it is crucial to gain insights into the environmental triggers that enhance pathogenicity in fungal pathogens and drive shifts in their life mode strategies, leading to the transition of beneficial fungi into pathogenic forms. Addressing these issues, our studies employed a combination of comprehensive fungal sampling and land cover mapping to elucidate the correlation between these fungal groups and environmental factors.
Speaker: Dr. Dhanushka Wanasinghe
Affiliation: Center for Mountain Futures, Kunming Institute of Botany
Time: 4:30 PM, Tuesday, July. 11, 2023
Venue: ZOOM 会议平台 会议 ID：312 430 8960 会议密码 PWD：666666
ZOOM
会议 ID：312 430 8960
会议密码 PWD：666666
