Univerza na Primorskem
Fakulteta za matematiko, naravoslovje in informacijske tehnologije
Več informacij o projektu / More info about the project
Opis / Description
SLO:
Eden glavnih ciljev raziskav v ekologiji je razumeti dejavnike, ki uravnavajo abundanco vrst v združbah. Biodiverziteta tal je kompleksno in premalo raziskano področje, zato tudi aktualna Strategija EU za biotsko raznovrstnost do leta 2030 poudarja potrebo po varovanju in raziskovanju biodiverzitete tal. Mikorizne glive so ključna komponenta rizosfere, saj vzpostavljajo simbiotske odnose z večino kopenskih rastlin, s pomembno vlogo pri mineralni prehrani rastlin in stabilizaciji tal.
Kljub temu je o razširjanju mikoriznih gliv z živalskimi vektorji znano zelo malo, še posebej za Evropo. S projektom želimo zapolniti to vrzel z raziskovanjem razširjanja mikoriznih gliv s sesalci (Mammalia) v Sloveniji in južni Evropi. Slovenija je idealno raziskovalno območje zaradi velike biodiverzitete in zdravih populacij kopitarjev ter zveri. Država ima raznolike ekološke regije, vključno s predalpskim, obalno-kraškim, dinarskim in predpanonskim območjem, ki zagotavljajo različne habitate za številne vrste.
Projekt bo združil raziskovalce iz različnih disciplin, vključno z ekologijo živali, ekologijo rastlin, ekologijo talnih mikroorganizmov, bioinformatiko in analizo podatkov, da bi proučili vlogo sesalcev pri razširjanju mikoriznih gliv. Čeprav obstajajo nekateri dokazi, da sesalci uživajo mikorizne glive in raznašajo njihove spore, je to področje v veliki meri neraziskano.
V projektu bomo uporabili napredne molekulske tehnike, kot sta metabarkodiranje DNA in analiza okoljske DNA, za identifikacijo glivnih združb, ki jih raznašajo živali. To bo omogočilo celovito razumevanje vloge sesalcev pri razširjanju mikoriznih gliv in njihovega pomena za ohranjanje zdravih ekosistemov.
V projektu bomo prav tako proučili prehranski pomen gliv za sesalce ter potencialno kopičenje nevarnih elementov v gobah (trosnjakih gliv), kar lahko predstavlja grožnjo za zdravje živali in ljudi.
Z združevanjem ekološkega in evolucijskega vidika si v projektu prizadevamo zagotoviti celostno razumevanje interakcij med sesalci, mikoriznimi glivami in rastlinami v kopenskih ekosistemih. Uporaba najsodobnejših tehnik bo omogočila analizo kompleksnih interakcij med vrstami in karakterizacijo ekosistemskih funkcij.
To znanje bo ključno za upravljanje in varovanje biodiverzitete tal v luči globalnih sprememb, vključno s podnebnimi spremembami, degradacijo habitatov in premikom območij vrst. Projekt predstavlja inovativen in interdisciplinaren pristop k proučevanju pomena razširjanja gliv z živalmi v kopenskih ekosistemih.
EN:
One of the main goals of ecological research is to understand the factors that regulate species abundance within communities. Soil biodiversity is a complex and still insufficiently studied field, which is why the current EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 also emphasises the need to protect and investigate soil biodiversity. Mycorrhizal fungi are a key component of the rhizosphere, forming symbiotic relationships with the majority of terrestrial plants and playing an important role in plant mineral nutrition and soil stabilisation.
Despite their importance, very little is known about the dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi by animal vectors, particularly in Europe. This project aims to address this knowledge gap by investigating the dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi by mammals (Mammalia) in Slovenia and southern Europe. Slovenia represents an ideal study area due to its high biodiversity and healthy populations of ungulates and carnivores. The country encompasses diverse ecological regions, including the pre-Alpine, Coastal-Karst, Dinaric and sub-Pannonian regions, providing a wide range of habitats for numerous species.
The project will bring together researchers from different disciplines, including animal ecology, plant ecology, soil microbial ecology, bioinformatics and data analysis, to investigate the role of mammals in the dispersal of mycorrhizal fungi. Although there is some evidence that mammals consume mycorrhizal fungi and disperse their spores, this aspect of fungal ecology remains largely unexplored.
The project will employ advanced molecular techniques, including DNA metabarcoding and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, to identify fungal communities dispersed by animals. This will provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of mammals in mycorrhizal fungal dispersal and its significance for maintaining healthy ecosystems.
The project will also investigate the nutritional importance of fungi for mammals, as well as the potential accumulation of hazardous elements in mushrooms (fungal fruiting bodies), which may pose a threat to animal and human health.
By integrating ecological and evolutionary perspectives, the project aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interactions among mammals, mycorrhizal fungi and plants in terrestrial ecosystems. The application of state-of-the-art techniques will enable the analysis of complex interspecific interactions and the characterisation of ecosystem functions.
This knowledge will be crucial for the management and protection of soil biodiversity in the context of global change, including climate change, habitat degradation and shifts in species’ distributions. The project represents an innovative and interdisciplinary approach to investigating the ecological significance of animal-mediated fungal dispersal in terrestrial ecosystems.