New Delhi, July 25 -- Summary The Underground Atlas by SPUN reveals that over 90 per cent of mycorrhizal fungi hotspots are outside protected areas

This highlights the need for their inclusion in climate and conservation agendas

These fungi, crucial for nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration, have been largely overlooked despite their vital role in sustaining ecosystems and supporting plant health

The best soils in the world are the ones that are alive with beneficial organisms. These include large organisms such as earthworms and nematodes, and microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi.

However, very little is known about the fungal component of the soil. Mycorrhizal fungi live symbiotically with more than 80 per cent of plant spe...