This study investigates the impact of urbanization on fungal communities in both air and soil. Researchers found significantly lower fungal DNA abundance and diversity in urban areas compared to natural areas, with a fivefold reduction observed at a 1km scale from natural to urban habitats. Surprisingly, the decline in fungal diversity was even more pronounced in the air than in the soil, despite the greater dispersal potential of airborne spores. This suggests that aerial fungal community analysis is a reliable bioindicator of ecosystem health in urban environments.
