Fungi are hyperdiverse organisms and assemble in complex communities, characterized by high levels of species richness, turnover, and endemism. However, the origins and maintenance of such high diversity and the role environments play in fungal adaptation are still elusive. Traditionally, efforts to understand fungal diversity in their environment have been divided between studies at the species level and below species level, with separate disciplines such as community ecology and population genetics working independently and with little communication. Here I argue that linking these different approaches is required to fully document the diversity of fungi in nature. Understanding the patterns and mechanisms of fungal diversity and composition requires not only the study of species assemblies and ranges, but also relies on comprehending fungal intra-specific variation, dispersal and establishment, including identifying key traits influencing fitness. This implies better integration and cross-fertilization between disciplines addressing fungi at a multitude of biological levels, ranging from genes to whole communities. Such approach will yield direct links between variation, adaptation and environments and provide a much more comprehensive understanding of fungal diversity.

真菌是多种生物，在复杂的社区中聚集，其特征是物种丰富度，周转率和特有度很高。然而，如此高的多样性的起源和维持以及环境在真菌适应中所起的作用仍然难以捉摸。传统上，在物种级别和物种级别以下的研究之间，人们对理解其环境中真菌多样性的努力被划分为不同的学科，诸如社区生态学和种群遗传学等独立的学科独立工作且几乎没有交流。在这里，我认为将这些不同的方法联系起来是充分记录自然界中真菌多样性的必要条件。了解真菌多样性和组成的模式和机制不仅需要研究物种的组装和范围，而且还依赖于了解真菌的种内变异，扩散和建立，包括确定影响适应性的关键性状。这意味着在从基因到整个社区的多个生物学水平上，针对真菌的学科之间的整合和交叉受精程度更高。这种方法将在变异，适应和环境之间产生直接联系，并提供对真菌多样性的更全面的了解。