Norwegian Scientists Seek Undocumented Fungi in Alpine Dryas Heath

Scientists will focus on the alpine Dryas heath during a series of August field days, aiming to catalogue the region’s fungal diversity. Researchers from several universities and the National Institute of Biodiversity will conduct systematic surveys across multiple elevations, collecting samples from soil, plant debris, and lichens in the heath ecosystem.

The project seeks to identify species that remain undocumented in scientific literature, using both traditional morphological methods and DNA sequencing to confirm new taxa. Preliminary surveys in nearby alpine sites have already uncovered several rare fungal genera, suggesting that the Dryas heath could host a similarly rich, yet largely unexplored, mycological community.

If successful, the findings will expand knowledge of alpine fungal ecology and inform conservation strategies for fragile high‑altitude habitats. The research team plans to publish a comprehensive report by the end of the year, contributing valuable data to global fungal biodiversity databases.