As global leaders gather at a United Nations summit focused on safeguarding the planet’s flora and fauna, a collective of researchers is advocating for the protection of another often-overlooked kingdom of life: fungi.
The biomass of fungi on our planet surpasses that of all animals combined by six times, with an estimated 5 million species that include everything from edible mushrooms to minuscule organisms crucial for ecosystem functions.
“The existence of fungi is fundamental to our world,” states Chilean mycologist Giuliana Furci.
Despite their importance, fungi have typically been excluded from conservation initiatives aimed at protecting plants and animals, a realization that struck Furci years ago.
“Discovering that fungi were not part of environmental laws was incredibly unjust,” Furci reminisced. In response, she established the Fungi Foundation in 2012, which she believes is the first non-profit organization devoted to the conservation of fungi worldwide.
Since then, other organizations have emerged, including the Canada-based Mycosphaera, contributing to the formation of the Global Fungal Conservation Network. On Wednesday, this coalition unveiled the Global Strategy for Fungal Conservation during the COP17 UN biodiversity conference taking place in Yerevan, Armenia.
Jack-o’-lantern mushroom in Wolfville, N.S. (Submitted by Allison Walker)
The UN conference is evaluating advancements on the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to conserve 30 percent of the Earth’s land, freshwater, and marine environments by 2030 while mobilizing billions annually for biodiversity funding.
Although the framework highlights the necessity of balancing human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health, fungi are notably absent from its text.
Tetrapyrgos alba. (Carolina Magnasco/Fungi Foundation)
Furci argues that discussing plants and animals without acknowledging fungi is “outdated,” given that they were recognized as a distinct kingdom in 1969 and are vital for the survival of numerous plant and animal species.
“Fungi are crucial to the environment… omitting them results in a profoundly incomplete understanding of life on Earth, ecosystem dynamics, and our approach to addressing various crises, from climate change to biodiversity decline,” she asserted prior to her participation at COP17.
Cortinarius magellanicus, found in South America and New Zealand. (Giuliana Furci/Fungi Foundation)
Many remain unnamed and uncounted
Allison Walker first became aware of the diverse wild mushrooms during childhood camping trips in Algonquin Park.
“I would invent names for them, like ‘Donut Brothers’ or ‘Pancake King,’” she reminisced.
Many fungi actually lack “official names,” according to Walker, who is now a biology professor at Acadia University in Wolfville, N.S., as fewer than five percent have been formally documented.
Unidentified fungi growing on a branch. (Catalina Infante/Fungi Foundation)
However, the fungi that scientists are monitoring face similar dangers as plants and animals. Last March, the IUCN Red List, which evaluates extinction risks for species globally, added 1,300 fungal species, with at least 411 classified as threatened.
This count of fungi assessed remains a small fraction compared to 96,000 animals and 176,000 plants listed.
Furci noted that fungi encounter many of the same challenges as other life forms, including fungicides, fertilizers, habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation, and climate change.
“However,” she pointed out, “we have not yet tailored specific actions to ensure their persistence.”
Furci emphasizes that such efforts would not only aid fungi.
“Plants rely on fungi for their root systems to thrive outside of water,” she explained. “Herbivores depend on fungi in their digestive systems to break down the plants they consume… Our reliance on fungi for food, medicine, and numerous other resources is immense.”
Witch’s cauldron in northern B.C. (Cynthia Andal)
Fungi are also vital in the processes of decomposition and nutrient recycling.
Walker noted that since many organisms depend on fungi, understanding these interactions is critical for habitat restoration and can clarify the reasons behind the failure of some restoration efforts.
In Canada, Walker indicated that at-risk fungal species might include the witch’s cauldron in northern B.C., resembling a large black puffball, and the pepper pot earthstar, a rare species discovered only four times in southwestern Ontario.
Pepper pot earthstar (Myriostoma coliforme), found only four times in southwestern Ontario. (Submitted by Allison Walker)
“It resembles a tiny star, but also looks like a pepper shaker due to the small holes in the center that release spores… quite charming and appealing.”
Difficult to identify and quantify
Walker acknowledged the obstacles in protecting rare fungi. Not only is our knowledge about fungal species limited, but counting them can also be quite challenging.
“Determining what is genuinely rare versus merely understudied is difficult,” she added.
Many species are microscopic, including those Walker examines in the roots of Spartina grasses found in salt marshes.
“Sometimes, it takes extensive hours under the microscope to differentiate various species.”
Allison Walker examines microscopic fungi found in the roots of salt marsh grasses. (Submitted by Allison Walker)
The fungi contain proteins that aren’t found in the grass itself and that stain blue. (Allison Walker)
Many fungi thrive underground, and even those that produce visible mushrooms above ground may not do so every year. Certain species might only produce mushrooms under particular circumstances, such as after a wildfire.
The subterranean network of cells comprising a single genetic individual can extend over great distances and yield mushrooms across a broad area, complicating efforts to accurately assess the population of a species.
“This makes it vastly different from counting animals and plants.”
Efforts at COP
Nonetheless, conservationists are making strides.
During the UN biodiversity conference two years ago, the Fungi Foundation introduced a fungal conservation pledge, which has been endorsed by 14 nations. Additional countries are anticipated to join during the second week of COP17.
Although Canada has yet to endorse the pledge, Walker and fellow Canadian mycologists are advocating for the nation to participate.
Mycena epipterygia. (Giuliana Furci/Fungi Foundation)
The countries that have signed the pledge have already contributed to ensuring fungi are included in scientific recommendations for signatories of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.
Furci believes that enhanced acknowledgment of fungi in the UN agreement could facilitate their integration into biodiversity monitoring, conservation strategies, ecosystem restoration, and national biodiversity plans.
Ramaria flava. (Giuliana Furci/Fungi Foundation)
However, Furci contends that individual efforts can also lead to change by increasing awareness about fungi and recognizing their significance in our daily lives.
“Language shapes our reality,” she remarked. “Initiating conversations about fungi alongside plants and animals is the first concrete step that everyone can and should take.”
This article is part of a series focusing on scientists examining disappearing species that often go unnoticed, providing an opportunity to understand their significance and explore actions to ensure their survival.