Estimates of fungal diversity and potential mycorrhizal plant families in Serranía de Chiribiquete National Natural Park, Colombian Amazon
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34069/RA/2026.18.01Keywords:
Biodiversity, Guiana Shield, Funga, Mycology, Mycorrhizae, Plant–fungus relationship.Abstract
The Serranía de Chiribiquete National Natural Park (PNNSCh), located in the Colombian Amazon, is one of the largest continuous protected areas of tropical rainforest worldwide; however, its fungal diversity remains poorly documented. Given the absence of comprehensive mycological inventories, this study aimed to estimate the potential fungal richness of the PNNSCh and synthesize the available information on plant families capable of forming mycorrhizal associations, thereby providing a baseline for future research and conservation planning. A critical review of scientific literature and specialized biodiversity databases was conducted and complemented with three widely used macroecological approaches to estimate fungal richness: the plant–fungus ratio, species–area extrapolation, and a biogeographical proportionality model. Based on an inventory of 2.479 plant species, the park was estimated to harbor between 14.874 and 24.790 fungal species, whereas the currently documented records represent only a very small fraction of this potential richness. In addition, 118 plant families with mycorrhizal potential were identified, with arbuscular mycorrhizal associations predominating. These findings reveal a substantial knowledge gap regarding the funga of the PNNSCh and highlight the urgent need for systematic inventories and integrative research to improve our understanding of fungal diversity, ecology, and ecosystem functions in one of the world's most biodiverse tropical forests.
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