Discovery or Extinction of New Scleroderma Species in Amazonia?

This research discovered three new species of fungi in the Amazon rainforest, highlighting both the incredible biodiversity of this region and the urgent need to study it before human activities like dam construction lead to species extinctions. Two of the newly discovered species may already be extinct due to flooding from dam construction. This work demonstrates how much we still don’t know about life in the Amazon and why protecting it is crucial. Impacts on everyday life: • Shows how human development can lead to extinction of species before we even know they exist • Highlights the importance of conservation efforts in biodiversity hotspots • Demonstrates the need for balanced approaches between development and environmental protection • Reveals potential loss of beneficial fungi that could have future applications • Emphasizes the role of scientific research in documenting and preserving biodiversity