‘Good boy!’ Truffle-Sniffing Dogs are Helping Uncover Hidden Underground Ecosystems

Heather Dawson, a University of Oregon biology Ph.D. student, and her golden retriever, Rye, are uncovering hidden truffle biodiversity in the Pacific Northwest. Rye’s remarkable nose has located thousands of truffles across 50+ genera, including rare and endangered species. Truffles, underground fungi critical to ecosystems, form symbiotic relationships with trees, aiding nutrient absorption and forest health. However, many species are poorly understood and vulnerable to habitat loss, climate change, and wildfires.

Rye’s finds, including the endangered Fevansia aurantiaca and elusive Fischerula subcaulis, have expanded scientific understanding of truffle distribution and diversity. Dawson’s research also suggests oak-associated truffles may help forests recover from mild fires, informing future conservation and forest management strategies. By leveraging scent detection dogs like Rye, researchers are revolutionizing fungal studies, uncovering species previously thought extinct, and emphasizing the urgency of documenting truffle biodiversity amid rapid environmental change. These efforts highlight the crucial ecological role and fragility of truffles.