Most fungi disperse by airborne spores. The spores are carried by the wind, but fungi can control their transport through the timing of spore release. However, quantitative, physically grounded knowledge on species differences in spore dispersion remains scarce. Existing studies are based on model simulations that ignore important physical and biological processes and have not been empirically validated. The SPORELIFE project aims to quantify fungal dispersal by combining existing data on life history traits with state-of-the-art atmospheric modelling. We validate species differences in dispersal predicted by models using local, regional and global DNA-based data sets on the species composition of airborne spores. We also develop, test and provide recommendations for applying airborne DNA methods and automated spore recognition instruments in environmental monitoring, helping to track and halt the ongoing biodiversity crisis.

2023

2027