Probe reveals extent of fungal diversity in Qinghai

XINING — A three-year comprehensive investigation of macro fungal diversity in Northwest China's Qinghai province has yielded fruitful results, providing scientific basis for ecological conservation and sustainable utilization of resources on the plateau region.

This comprehensive and systematic investigation of macro fungal diversity, recently completed in Qinghai, found a total of 807 species of macro fungi, among which, the top three species in terms of family groups were Tricholomataceae with 75 species, 42 species of Agaricaceae, and Polyporaceae contributing 35 species.

Qinghai is a global biodiversity hot spot. It has complex terrain spanning large altitude fluctuations and featuring diverse habitats — as well as unique weather conditions combining low temperatures with strong ultraviolet rays, which together result in specialized fungal communities. However, there was a prolonged lack of systematic fungal diversity investigation and research in this region.