A subset of restoration ecology, or regenerative ecosystem management, fungal restoration can take many forms. The primary goals are protecting and conserving fungal populations and species threatened by loss to soil degradation, and halting biodiversity loss. An additional benefit is supporting the numerous ecosystem services that fungi provide. Fungal restoration can include soil microbe restoration which leads to increases in plant biomass productivity and helps plants increase their resistance to shock. Some ecosystem services are important for food production while others are important for ecosystems and all of their inhabitants. Scientifically, SPUN is interested in studying how fungal populations support seed germination rates and plant growth and survival rates, for regeneration, reforestation, and afforestation. Fungi are key drivers in vegetation succession, as they deliver the specific nutrients needed by a plant. Fungal restoration is difficult to measure. SPUN is taking steps towards fungal restoration by bench-marking (making an inventory at a point in time) of current fungal populations.