The FunAqua project was established as a global, collaborative, voluntary initiative to advance the understanding of fungal biodiversity across diverse freshwater and marine ecosystems in countries around the world (Fig. 1). To ensure the robustness and comparability of data across a range of different aquatic environments, protocols were developed for all key steps, including sample collection, filtration, preservation and transportation of water and sediment samples. Two protocol versions were provided to participants: (1) basic protocols for general sample collection, suitable for a wide range of interested users; and (2) advanced protocols for researchers with access to specific equipment to collect additional environmental data (e.g., depth, water temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen). Sampling and sample processing protocols are published and described in detail in Panksep et al. (202317, 202518). While some variation was inevitable due to local and environmental constraints (e.g., the type of filters and the preservatives used), all participating teams adhered to the core guidelines to ensure data consistency. Any deviations were transparently documented in the metadata report sheet (Supplementary Item 1) to support accurate interpretation and data standardisation. After sampling, collaborators sent their samples to a central laboratory at the Estonian University of Life Sciences (EMU), where all...

Following or latest open call, we are excited to announce that we have welcomed 47 new Associate Editors to Functional Ecology’s editorial board! Our new editors join us from 18 different cou…

La investigación demuestra que los microbios que habitan en ríos, así como las funciones que realizan, pueden verse perjudicados por el calentamiento global y el aumento de las sequías. Alba Junquera ...

Freshwater microbial communities sustain ecosystem functions and services, with aquatic fungi playing a key role in organic matter decomposition and nutrient transfer. However, the combined effect...

En el Día Internacional para la Eliminación de la Violencia contra las Mujeres 25N, recordamos también a aquellas que murieron en el ejercicio de su labor científica o técnica, en contextos donde l…

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Nitrogen plays important roles in areas including climate change, human health, and agriculture. A researcher argues that climate models would benefit from more fully incorporating its influence.

Ozempic, MRI machines and flat screen televisions all emerged out of fundamental research decades earlier — the very types of study being slashed by the US government.

Permanent ponds are key landscape units that supply various ecosystem services. Notably, the export of aquatic subsidies to land via emerging insects may significantly influence terrestrial food webs...

Over 450 scientists have penned an open letter to the European Union, urging countries to address Europe's declining freshwater ecosystems

Hablamos de la anguila y del riesgo de extinción que sufre esta especie actualmente, y lo hacemos con el investigador Miguel Clavero

We are looking for a motivated and organized candidate with a PhD in soil ecology or a related discipline. With your expertise in soil ecology and chemistry, you will carry out laboratory analyses rel...