Laura Smith
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. Fungi include yeasts, molds, smuts, and rusts, in addition to the familiar mushroom-forming species. While mushrooms and fungi play a crucial role in nature and for humans, they are often overlooked in conservation efforts and discussions. Mycologists are advocating for the addition of funga to the commonly used phrase flora and fauna to raise awareness and promote the conservation of ecologically significant mushrooms, molds, yeasts, and other fungi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Mobility | Not immobile |
| Cell Walls | Rigid |
| Chlorophyll | Lack chlorophyll |
| Nutrition | Take nutrients from other materials |
| Spores | Produce spores instead of seeds |
| Conservation | Often overlooked in conservation efforts |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are not plants or animals, they are fungi
Fungi play a vital role in nature and for humans. They are responsible for breaking down dead organic material, keeping ecosystems clear of leaf litter and fallen branches. They also form essential relationships with other organisms, such as gut bacteria and plant roots. Mycorrhizal fungi, for example, form a mutually beneficial relationship with plant roots, helping the plants absorb water and minerals in exchange for nutrients. Many plants, including trees and orchids, cannot live without these fungal partners.
Fungi also have important applications for humans. They are used in food production, such as in bread-making and the fermentation of grapes into wine and grain into beer. They are also used in the creation of drugs and antibiotics. Penicillin, for example, was first isolated from a rotten cantaloupe in the 1940s.
Despite their importance, fungi are often overlooked in conservation efforts and policies. They are not included in initiatives such as the Global Soil Partnership and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Mycologists are advocating for the addition of "funga" to the phrase "flora and fauna" to raise awareness and promote the conservation of these vital organisms.
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Fungi are essential for building healthy ecosystems
Fungi, including mushrooms, are essential for building healthy ecosystems. They are not flora, as they are neither plants nor animals, but constitute their own kingdom. Fungi play a vital role in maintaining the intricate balance of life on Earth, and their ability to decompose organic matter, form symbiotic relationships, regulate ecological balance, and contribute to nutrient cycling is crucial for the health and resilience of ecosystems.
Fungi are a diverse group of organisms, ranging from single-celled to complex multicellular organisms, and they can be microscopic or have large fruiting bodies with extensive underground systems. They are responsible for important ecosystem services that benefit both humans and the overall ecosystem. One of their key roles is in soil biodiversity, where they contribute to soil formation, enhance fertility, and help control soil erosion. By breaking down complex organic matter, they return vital nutrients to the soil, facilitating the growth of plants and other organisms.
Fungi also play a crucial role in carbon sequestration, with the ability to sequester carbon accounting for 36% of annual CO2 emissions. They can break down pollutants and toxins, contributing to the detoxification of contaminated environments. Additionally, fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants, which enable their survival, growth, and resilience. These relationships can also increase the resistance of plants to diseases and pests, further enhancing the stability and biodiversity of ecosystems.
The protection and conservation of fungi are of paramount importance for maintaining healthy ecosystems. However, fungi face significant threats worldwide, including habitat destruction, pollution, climate change, and invasive species. Sustainable soil management and ecosystem conservation practices are essential to preserving fungi diversity and ensuring the long-term health and resilience of the ecosystems they support.
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Fungi are often overlooked in conservation efforts
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. Fungi include mushrooms, yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts. Fungi are essential to our ecosystems, societies, and economies. They break down organic matter, interact with all groups of organisms, and are key actors in forest carbon storage, nutrient cycling, plant growth, and resistance to environmental stress. They are also important to human cultures as a source of food, medicine, and art.
Despite their importance, fungi are often overlooked in conservation efforts. One reason for this neglect is the perception of fungi as "uncharismatic" or "unglamorous". They do not have the same level of human appeal as other species, and their diversity is often cryptic, with many species looking similar but being genetically distinct. This makes it difficult to assign species, define populations, and assess global distributions, which are crucial first steps for conservation initiatives.
Another factor contributing to the oversight of fungi in conservation is the misconception that fungi are plants. This misconception persists and can be harmful to the field of mycology, preventing it from receiving the dedicated funding and specialist attention it deserves. Additionally, the criteria for "red-listing" species, which is a common approach to conservation, is not specifically designed for fungi. The data required for red-listing, such as population size, lifespan, spatial distribution, and population dynamics, are often poorly known for most fungi.
However, there have been some recent advancements and initiatives to prioritize fungal conservation. For example, at the 2024 Conference of Parties (COP16) in Colombia, a pledge was presented urging parties to make fungal conservation a priority. Additionally, over 70 mycologists and biologists in Quebec signed a letter encouraging the government to integrate fungi into its legislative framework. These efforts are important steps towards recognizing the value of fungi and ensuring their conservation for future generations.
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Mycologists are advocating for the term funga to be added to flora and fauna
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. This kingdom includes yeasts, molds, smuts, and rusts, in addition to the familiar mushroom-forming species.
Mycologists are advocating for the term "funga" to be added to "flora" and "fauna". This is because, despite the fact that fungi are essential for building healthy and biodiverse ecosystems, they are often overlooked in conservation efforts. For example, the Global Soil Partnership has no specific action for the conservation of fungi. Similarly, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has no fungi on its lists of protected species.
The Fauna, Flora, Funga initiative is a collaborative endeavor between the Fungi Foundation, NYU's Earth Advocacy Clinic, and Merlin Sheldrake. It seeks to elevate the status of fungi within the realm of conservation and environmental protection. The initiative aims to advocate for the inclusion of fungi in international environmental and conservation law, policies, and language. Central to the initiative's goals is the widespread adoption of the term "funga" as a distinct category alongside "fauna" and "flora".
In 2021, organizations such as Re:wild and IUCN SSC committed to recognizing fungi as a distinct and indispensable kingdom of life. They also announced their commitment to using “mycologically-inclusive” language in their communications (“fauna, flora and funga” and “animals, fungi and plants”) and to incorporating fungi in conservation strategies with rare and endangered plants and animals.
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Fungi include yeasts, molds, mushrooms, and more
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They constitute their own kingdom: the Fungi. Fungi include yeasts, molds, mushrooms, and more.
Yeasts are single-celled fungi that reproduce by budding. They are used in baking and brewing. For example, baker's yeast or Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used to make bread and other wheat-based products. Yeast species of the genus Saccharomyces are also used to produce alcoholic beverages through fermentation.
Molds, in contrast, occur in long filaments known as hyphae. Some molds produce spores in sac-like cells called sporangia, which then become spores called sporangiospores. An example of a mold is black bread mold (Rhizopus stolonifer).
Mushrooms are the most easily recognized fungi. They can be found in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They produce spores, which are almost as fine as smoke. When spores land in a suitable place, they develop into new mushrooms. Some mushrooms are edible and nutritious, while others are deadly. Certain mushrooms are also used in folk medicine practices.
In addition to yeasts, molds, and mushrooms, the kingdom Fungi includes smuts, rusts, mildews, and more. Fungi are ecologically important as decomposers and play a vital role in nature and to humans. They are also of great medical importance, with some fungi being used to create antibiotics and other drugs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms are not considered flora. Flora refers to an area's plant diversity, and mushrooms are not plants. Mushrooms are part of the Fungi kingdom, which also includes yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts.
Flora refers to plant life and fungi refers to a separate kingdom of organisms that includes mushrooms, moulds, and yeasts. Fungi do not contain chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other materials.
It is important to distinguish between flora and fungi because they face different threats and require different conservation efforts. By using "mycologically inclusive language", conservation efforts can better protect fungi.
Some examples of fungi include mushrooms, moulds, yeasts, and rusts. There are about 10,000 kinds of mushrooms in North America alone, and they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colours.
