Despite fungi's known global biogeochemistry, our knowledge regarding their contribution to ecology and biochemical cycles in the oceanic realm is rather limited. Although existing culture-dependent and independent studies have highlighted the fungal presence in diverse oceanic environments, their specific metabolic activities and ecological functions remain to be clarified. Recent developments in image- and molecular-based tools provide new opportunities for investigating the biomass, functional genes, and potential ecological roles of marine fungi, enhancing our comprehension of their integration into biogeochemical cycles. A deeper understanding of their biochemical functions will illuminate the extent to which fungal activity influences critical global oceanic cycles like the biological pump and microbial loop.

This Research Topic aims to draw attention to the ecological roles and metabolic activities of fungi in marine environments, targeting a comprehensive understanding of their ecological contribution to oceanic ecosystems. It seeks to answer pertinent questions related to fungal metabolic rates, their interactions with other marine organisms, and the identification of key genes involved in ecological functions. This research will test hypotheses concerning the role of fungi in marine food webs, nutrient cycling, and their involvement in sustaining ecosystem balance.

To gather further insights into the roles and activities of oceanic fungi, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Image-based techniques for measuring fungal biomass and interactions with marine trophic levels
• Molecular approaches, specifically transcriptomics, to decipher key functional genes in marine fungi
• Fungi's involvement in marine snow processes and implications for ocean health
• Metabolic pathways that contribute to the biological pump and microbial loop
• The impact of environmental changes on fungal activity and distribution in marine ecosystems

We encourage submissions related to original research, reviews, and methodologies that provide insights into this field.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Fungi in the Ocean: Metabolic Activity and Ecological Roles