About This Project

We assembled over 300 truffle collections across the Sierra Nevada with our truffle-hunting dog Booboo. Truffles sustain forests and rely on animals for spore dispersal yet remain poorly studied. In this project, we aim to determine the true diversity and distribution of truffles across the Sierra Nevada. We hypothesize that DNA sequencing will reveal far greater diversity than morphology alone. We will sequence, photograph, and build California’s first truffle field guide.

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

We have compiled the largest Sierra Nevada truffle collection to date (over 400 collections), spanning oak savannas to alpine forests across an elevational gradient of more than 8,000 feet. Truffles are vital ectomycorrhizal fungi that form symbioses with trees and depend on mammals for spore dispersal, yet they remain poorly studied because they fruit underground. Previous research has shown that mammal–fungus interactions strongly influence forest ecology and nutrient cycling. However, little is known about how truffle communities vary with elevation or habitat in California. By testing whether DNA sequencing reveals hidden diversity overlooked by morphology, this project will establish a baseline for Sierra Nevada truffle ecology

What is the significance of this project?

Truffles are essential ectomycorrhizal fungi that sustain forest health and food webs, yet California’s truffle diversity remains poorly documented. This project combines field collection, DNA sequencing, and spore photography to characterize truffle biodiversity across the Sierra Nevada. Identifying these species (many of which are undescribed) will clarify fungal distributions, ecological roles, and host associations. By defining the true diversity and elevational patterns of truffles, this work provides a foundation for future research on fungal community responses to climate change, forest management, and habitat disturbance. The resulting open-access sequence database and field guide will serve as critical tools for ecologists, land managers, and citizen scientists seeking to monitor forest health and conserve truffle-associated ecosystems.

What are the goals of the project?

Our goals are to (1) sequence DNA from about 300 Sierra Nevada truffles, (2) identify and describe new species, and (3) combine DNA results with macro and microphotography to produce California’s first comprehensive field guide to truffle fungi.