Long Overlooked as Crucial to Life, Fungi Start to Get Their Due
8 hours ago
- #fungi
- #conservation
- #biodiversity
- There are between 2.2 million to 12 million fungal species globally, but only about 155,000 are known.
- Fungi are indispensable to plant life, with 90% of plants forming symbiotic relationships with mycorrhizal fungi for nutrient absorption.
- Fungi play critical roles in ecosystems, including carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and supporting plant resilience.
- Only two fungi species in the U.S. are classified as endangered, but fungal conservation is overlooked due to limited knowledge.
- Efforts are underway to elevate fungi's importance to the same level as flora and fauna in conservation policies.
- Fungi contribute to medicine, food, and industry, with an estimated global value of nearly $55 trillion.
- Mycorrhizal fungi sequester about 13 billion tons of carbon annually, equivalent to a third of global fossil fuel emissions.
- Only 10% of mycorrhizal hotspots are in protected areas, highlighting the need for greater fungal conservation efforts.
- Initiatives like the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) and the Fungal Diversity Initiative (FUNDIS) are mapping and advocating for fungal biodiversity.
- At COP16 in 2024, 13 countries informally agreed to recognize fungi equally with flora and fauna, with plans for formal adoption at COP17 in 2026.