Africa's rainforest fungi remain mostly undiscovered and boost tree growth
Aboua HMN, Dramani R, Hegbe ADMT, Badou SA, Houdanon RD
Mycorrhizal Networks
Forest restoration projects across the tropics often fail because they plant trees without the underground fungal partners those trees evolved with, and this study shows which native fungi actually speed up seedling growth.
Scientists combed through nearly a century of records to build the first big picture of ectomycorrhizal fungi, the root-partner fungi that trade nutrients for sugar with trees, across tropical Africa. They found over 700 species already documented but estimate the true number is closer to 1,200, meaning most of this hidden diversity hasn't even been found yet. On top of that, they showed these fungi aren't just passengers: pairing seedlings with them sped up growth by about 6% per month, with one species, Scleroderma verrucosum, standing out as a particularly strong booster.
Key Findings
711 ectomycorrhizal fungal species recorded across tropical Africa from 59 genera and 20 families, with Russula (169 species), Amanita (81), and Lactifluus (71) dominating
Estimated true richness reaches 1,226 species, meaning roughly 42% of species remain undocumented; fungal communities differ by 95% between countries, pointing to dispersal limitation over distance
Meta-analysis found ectomycorrhizal fungi increase tree seedling growth by an average of 6% per month, with Scleroderma verrucosum showing especially strong effects
chevron_right Technical Summary
A massive review of underground fungal partners in African tropical forests found nearly twice as many species likely exist than have been documented, and these fungi boost young tree growth by about 6% a month, a finding that could help restoration efforts pick the right fungal allies.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
Ectomycorrhizal fungi in tropical Africa: hidden diversity, spatial turnover, and functional effects on tree growth.
Tropical Africa encompasses several biodiversity hotspots, yet knowledge of ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi, key organisms for forest ecosystem functioning, remains fragmented. This study provides the ...
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