Macrofungal diversity of Bhutan: A specimen-based assessment

A study was undertaken including systematic field surveys and specimen-based documentation of macrofungi across Bhutan to address longstanding inventory gaps in national fungal knowledge. Despite Bhutan’s position within the biologically rich Himalayan region, fungal diversity has remained underrepresented in both regional checklists and global biodiversity databases. To establish a reliable baseline, surveys were conducted across diverse habitats and elevational gradients, including temperate broadleaf forests, coniferous forests, alpine zones, and subtropical regions. Standardized collection protocols were followed to ensure high-quality voucher specimens, detailed field metadata, and accurate georeferencing. All specimens were curated, identified using current taxonomic literature, and deposited in national mushroom centre Fungarium collection. Throughout the project, particular emphasis was placed on verifying nomenclature, updating synonymy, and documenting precise locality data to enhance long-term research value. This sustained effort has resulted in one of the most comprehensive specimen-based datasets of Bhutanese macrofungi assembled to date.