Research goals and directions

The Yugra State University Biological Collecion has its mission in studying biodiversity of taiga zone of Western Siberia and developing FAIR principles to its collections.

Goal 1: Provide free open access to the collection and observations data about biodiversity in Northwestern Siberia:

  • Developing collection of specimens
  • Providing open access to the collection through web portals (Specify web portal, GBIF)
  • Developing collection management best practices
  • Providing collection analytics in publications

Goal 2: Taxonomical revision of biodiversity in Northwestern Siberia:

  • Developing collaboration with research community to systematic revision of local mycobiota
  • Providing taxonomical revision of accumulated collections
  • Accumulating literature library and digitized literature databases on biodiversity in Northwestern Siberia
  • Developing approaches to study biodiversity, including molecular methods of systematic

LONG-TERM PROJECTS DESCRIPTION

Fungal literature records database of Northwestern Siberia

The development of literature records database had been started in 2019. The historical literature sources were collected since the initial period of fungal inventories in the beginning of the 19th century and were digitized. The database currently includes about 22 thousand of fungal occurrences recorded in the region, reported from about 150 scientific publications (accessed as GBIF dataset). The library of the sources is managed and accessed as Zotero archive. The overview of the history of mycological research published in several papers. See more details on a web page.

Fungal communities long-term monitoring in taiga zone of Northwestern Siberia

A series of permanent plots and routs was initiated in vicitinity of Khanty-Mansiysk (Shapsha village) in 2014 to describe the species composition, quantitative structure and dynamics of communities in different forest and bog types. The logging being the main factor of disturbance in the area, we chose several stages of after-cut succession to locate 10 plots. Another series of plots was built in a raised bog community, at the research polygon of Mukhrino Field Station. The methods of sampling follow recommended in (Mueller et al., 2004, Biodiversity of fungi ..). The plots and routes are visited regularly since 2014 once in 1-2 weeks covering the whole vegetation season and allowing to describe the phenology of fruiting. See more details on a web page.

Advancing Mycorrhizal Biotechnology in Yugra: From Fundamental Research to Practical Solutions

This project, supported by the Yugra Foundation for Scientific and Technological Development, established a comprehensive research pipeline for developing native mycorrhizal preparations at Yugra State University. Key outcomes include creating a unique collection of 82 verified fungal strains, implementing modern molecular techniques for precise identification, and pioneering local methods for cultivating seedlings and evaluating mycorrhiza under sterile conditions. All data are systematized in a specialized digital database and published openly on the international GBIF platform. The developed protocols for mycelium cultivation form the basis for future biopreparations aimed at enhancing reforestation, supporting climate projects, and boosting the forestry sector in the conditions of Western Siberia. The work resulted in several publications, a registered software certificate, and active dissemination of results within the scientific and regional community. See more details on a web page.

Last update 16/01/2026