The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens is set to benefit from almost $150,000 to build a verified fungal reference library.
It’s just one of seven projects to receive funding from the NSW Environmental Trust Research Grants Program.
The Heatherbrae precinct, which recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, secured $148,984 for the venture, alongside Charles Sturt University ($199,967), Macquarie University ($199,930), Southern Cross University ($199,317), Sydney Institute of Marine Science ($197,431), University of Canberra ($199,621) and the University of New England ($199,395).
And, the grants have been awarded to environmental studies focused on fungus, fishways, frogs, foxes and brolgas, as well as initiatives that bring Aboriginal traditional knowledge and western science together to improve the way we manage our environment.
The Hunter Region Botanic Gardens plan to construct the reference library for sustainable soil management for fungal-dependent native plants.
“Australia is home to an estimated 250,000 [fungal] species,” a spokesperson said.
“Yet, less than 5% have been formally described… and only a handful are listed under conservation frameworks.
“This lack of ecological knowledge limits our ability to monitor and protect native fungi – organisms essential to soil health, plant vitality and ecosystem function.
“At the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens, more than 700 fungal specimens have been collected.
“But, none are DNA-verified.
“This undertaking aims to bridge the divide between observable fungal biodiversity and molecular data.
“By sequencing the curated specimens and cross-referencing them with existing soil eDNA data, we will create a reference library that enhances fungal identification, informs sustainable land management and supports conservation of native fungi, informs sustainable land management, supports conservation of native fungi, and explores how they can be used for landscape-scale rehabilitation projects.”
Environmental trust manager of Contestable Grants Josh Keating congratulated the seven recipients.
“Investing in environmental research is the key to tackling some of NSW’s most pressing ecological challenges in innovative ways,” he said.
“These grants were hotly-contested and the chosen projects will deepen our knowledge and advance new practical solutions.
“By supporting this work, we’re empowering researchers and communities to find smarter, more sustainable ways to protect our environment for future generations.”
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