This proposed research aims to: 1.Quantify the life stages (dormant or germinating) of fungal spores at different altitudes using samples collected at the William Bankhead National Forest in Alabama 2. Examine variations in fungal spore physical and chemical properties across life stages and estimate their cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) and ice nucleating particle (INP) potential using laboratory experiments. 3. Develop a modeling framework to incorporate fungal spore life stages and assess their impacts on cloud microphysics and precipitation.