The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) has launched the Underground Atlas , the first digital map predicting Earth's underground mycorrhizal fungal biodiversity. The work, published in Nature on July 23 analyzed 2.8 billion DNA sequences from 130 countries revealing that over 90% of mycorrhizal biodiversity hotspots lie outside protected areas.
Mycorrhizal fungi form critical underground networks that provide plants with essential nutrients while drawing approximately 13 billion tons of CO₂ per year into soils. Despite their importance for climate regulation and ecosystem health, these "ecosystem engineers" have been largely overlooked in conservation planning.
Developed by an international, multi-disciplinary team, with our fungal data partners GlobalFungi and the Global Soil Mycobiome consortium , the Underground Atlas translates emerging scientific research into an accessible platform that allows users to explore fungal biodiversity patterns at 1km 2 resolution across the planet. The team used machine learning algorithms to analyze relationships between fungal diversity and environmental factors, enabling predictions for previously unmapped regions and underground ecosystems.
Platform Features:
Interactive maps showing biodiversity richness and endemism hotspots
Species estimates for each 1km 2 pixel of Earth
Uncertainty indicators highlighting areas needing additional sampling
Data downloads for research and conservation planning
Applications for restoration site prioritization and protected area designations
Tools to explore opportunities for underground conservation corridors
The tool reveals richness hotspots from Ethiopia's Simien Mountains to Brazil's Cerrado savanna, while identifying rare endemic fungi in West Africa's forests and Tasmania's temperate ecosystems. This enables decision-makers to prioritize conservation efforts and leverage mycorrhizal systems for climate mitigation, crop productivity, and ecosystem resilience.
Explore the Underground Atlas: https://www.spun.earth/underground-atlas
Watch the Underground Atlas demo: https://app.air.inc/a/cxKBgWAyl
Research published in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09277-4
The Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) is a science-based initiative launched in 2021 to map and protect the mycorrhizal communities that regulate Earth's climate and ecosystems. SPUN’s work is supported by Jeremy and Hannelore Grantham Environmental Trust , Allen Family Philanthropies , The Schmidt Family Foundation , Quadrature Climate Foundation , Dutch Research Council (NWO) , and the Bezos Earth Fund . To explore the Underground Atlas or support SPUN’s mission, visit: https://spun.earth
Nature
Data/statistical analysis
Not applicable
Global Hotspots of Mycorrhizal Fungal Richness are Poorly Protected
23-Jul-2025