Fungal Diversity in Bhutan’s Royal Botanical Park via Soil eDNA Metabarcoding and Visual Arts for Conservation and Communication (ARTeDNA)

Description

The ARTeDNA project establishes a collaboration between the Environmental Genomics and Systems Biology group at ZHAW (Switzerland) and the National Mushroom Center (NMC), Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (Bhutan), to explore macrofungal diversity using molecular techniques combined with visual arts for science communication. Bhutan’s forests host unique fungal communities, yet biodiversity assessments rely on fruiting body observations, which are seasonal and incomplete. Despite 15 years of work under NMC’s Myco-diversity Program, less than 5% of the fungal diversity is estimated to be documented. Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding offers a rapid, scalable approach to detect fungal taxa from soil samples, providing a more comprehensive picture of fungal diversity.

The one-year project will target two to three forest sites representing different ecological zones within the Royal Botanical Park (RBP) in Lamperi. Soil samples will be collected and processed for DNA extraction and ITS-region metabarcoding, targeting macro fungi. DNA extraction will be performed at the College of Natural Resources (CNR), sequencing at ZHAW, and bioinformatics analysis jointly with NMC.

Capacity building is central: Bhutanese partners will receive training in sampling, DNA extraction, library preparation, nanopore sequencing, and data interpretation. Collaboration will include reciprocal visits and hybrid meetings to ensure knowledge exchange.

Visual documentation and artistic interpretation of Bhutan’s fungal diversity and sampling process will contribute to enhance interdisciplinary impact. These outputs will support science communication through exhibitions, educational materials, and digital storytelling, fostering public engagement and awareness of biodiversity conservation.

Expected outputs include a pilot dataset of macrofungal diversity, a standardized soil eDNA protocol adapted for Bhutan, capacity building for local staff, and a joint report or short publication. This project will lay the foundation for larger-scale biodiversity monitoring and conservation initiatives, strengthening Swiss–Bhutan scientific ties and contributing to national and global fungal diversity knowledge.

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