Costa Rica’s rainforest is home to a hidden kingdom

Fungi that manipulate insects, influence plants, and connect entire ecosystems—the world of fungi is one of the most fascinating and, at the same time, least-studied areas of biodiversity. Tropica Verde spoke with biologist and mycologist Prof. Dr. Melissa Mardones Hidalgo about a new German-Costa Rican research project, international collaboration, and the importance of fungi for the protection of biodiversity.

A Conversation with Prof. Dr. Melissa Mardones Hidalgo

Melissa Mardones Hidalgo is a biologist, a professor at the University of Costa Rica (UCR), and a researcher at the Center for Biodiversity and Tropical Ecology Research (CIBET). There, she curates the fungal collection at the university’s herbarium and has been studying Costa Rica’s fungal diversity for many years.

Melissa, could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us what role you play in the project?

My name is Melissa Mardones Hidalgo. I am a professor in the School of Biology at the University of Costa Rica and a researcher at CIBET, the Center for Biodiversity and Tropical Ecology Research. There, I oversee the fungal collection in our biological collections.

I studied biology and later earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. with a focus on mycology, or the study of fungi. In my current project, I am working closely with Prof. Dr. Meike Piepenbring, who served as my advisor during my Ph.D. Since I graduated eight years ago, we have maintained close scientific collaboration.

Research Brings Germany and Costa Rica Together

What exactly is this project about?

The project’s primary goal is to strengthen cooperation between Germany and Costa Rica in the field of biodiversity research. The call for proposals through which the project is funded was specifically designed to establish international research networks.

To this end, a network called GeCoBio – Germany-Costa Rica-Biodiversity, which aims to bring together researchers from both countries. The idea is to facilitate new collaborations, develop joint research projects, and secure additional funding for biodiversity research in the long term.

“We want to create a platform where researchers from Germany and Costa Rica can get to know one another, exchange ideas, and develop new projects together,” explains Prof. Dr. Melissa Mardones Hidalgo.

Three Goals for Expanding Our Knowledge of Fungi

In addition to establishing the research network, the project has two other key objectives.

First, doctoral students from Goethe University Frankfurt and the University of Costa Rica will conduct joint research. Three doctoral candidates have already been selected for this program and will conduct part of their fieldwork in Costa Rica in the future.

Second, the existing collection of fungal cultures is to be expanded and strengthened. Such scientific collections are of great importance, as they enable researchers to document and compare fungi over the long term and to identify new species.

Research in the Heart of the Rainforest

Where does the research take place? In the lab or out in nature?

“Both,” says Prof. Dr. Melissa Mardones Hidalgo.

A significant portion of the work will take place in protected areas and various agricultural landscapes throughout Costa Rica. There, the researchers will collect fungal samples and study their role in different ecosystems.

It has not yet been determined exactly which regions will be studied. For now, the doctoral students are developing their research topics. Only then are the appropriate study areas selected.

One thing is certain, however: The young researchers will spend an extended period of time in Costa Rica, where they will conduct intensive fieldwork. Afterward, the data they collect will be analyzed at both the University of Costa Rica and Goethe University Frankfurt.

A Network for Biodiversity Research

The project is currently still in the development phase. Nevertheless, there is already considerable interest on both sides of the Atlantic. Annual workshops are planned, which will initially take place in Costa Rica. In addition to academic exchanges, joint field trips are also scheduled to take place.

“Direct contact with Costa Rica’s ecosystems can be incredibly inspiring,” explains Prof. Dr. Melissa Mardones Hidalgo. “That’s why we want not only to bring researchers together, but also to give them the opportunity to experience biodiversity firsthand.”

The network is not limited to researchers from the University of Costa Rica and Goethe University. Researchers from other universities and research institutions in Germany and Costa Rica are also welcome to participate.

Why Mushrooms Are So Important

Fungi are among the most species-rich and, at the same time, least studied groups of organisms on Earth. They break down dead biomass, provide plants with nutrients, influence entire food webs, and can even alter the behavior of insects.

Despite their enormous importance to the functioning of ecosystems, they are often not the focus of conservation efforts.

This is exactly where the new research project comes in: It aims to help us better understand the diversity of Costa Rica’s fungi while also promoting international cooperation for the protection of biodiversity.

After all, anyone who wants to protect nature must also be familiar with its most hidden players.

The interview was conducted and edited by Theresa Bertl, a volunteer at Tropica Verde e.V. — the text has been edited for clarity and abridged.

About the Project

The German-Costa Rican research project is being carried out jointly by researchers from the University of Costa Rica and Goethe University Frankfurt. The project focuses on studying fungal diversity, establishing long-term scientific collaborations, and supporting early-career researchers in both countries.

Tropica Verde is involved in the project and supports dialogue between the scientific community, conservationists, and the public.

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