Quintana Roo Launches Micelios Project to Document Fungal Diversity

Chetumal, Quintana Roo — The state government has launched “Micelios Quintana Roo,” a citizen-science initiative aimed at documenting and understanding the fungi found throughout the region.

The project, presented by the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Natural Areas of Quintana Roo (IBANQROO), seeks to gather photographs, observations, and knowledge from residents, students, teachers, nature photographers, communities, academics, and researchers. Organizers say the goal is to build a clearer picture of the state’s fungal diversity and make that information accessible to the public.

As a first step, the institute held a virtual talk and an observation walk on August 14 and 15 at Parque Ecológico Zazil in Chetumal. Participants learned about the ecological role of fungi and how to document them through photography.

Fungi are often overlooked, yet they play a fundamental part in ecosystem health — growing in soil, among leaves, on trees, and in decaying wood. They also carry cultural significance, particularly among Mayan communities, where traditional knowledge includes local names, seasonal patterns, and uses for different species.

“Micelios Quintana Roo” is part of the state’s Nuevo Acuerdo por el Bienestar y Desarrollo de Quintana Roo, an initiative promoted by Governor Mara Lezama Espinosa that encourages public participation in the recognition and care of the environment.