Fungi are fundamental to the health and function of ecosystems, yet we are only beginning to understand how they will respond to the pressures of a warming world. In this talk, Dr Adriana Romero-Olivares explores the wide-ranging effects of climate change on fungal communities such as the decomposition and carbon cycling in boreal and temperate forests, and the emerging threats posed by climate-sensitive fungal pathogens. Drawing on research from Alaska to the Chihuahuan Desert, Adriana will share insights into fungal adaptation, gene expression, and the complex ecological roles these organisms play. Her talk invites us to consider fungi not only as indicators of environmental change, but as active players with profound implications for ecosystem resilience and public health.
