Emma Wilson
While mushrooms may be reminiscent of plants, they are not flora. Flora refers to an area's plant diversity, whereas fauna refers to its animal diversity. Mushrooms are fungi, which constitute their own kingdom. They include yeasts, molds, smuts, and rusts, and play a vital role in nature and for humans. The term funga has been proposed to be added to the commonly used phrase flora and fauna to raise the conservation profile of mushrooms and other fungi.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Conservation status | Often overlooked in conservation efforts |
| Number of species | 2.2 to 3.8 million species of fungi on Earth |
| Number of species assessed for inclusion on the Red List of Threatened Species | 450 |
| Number of species on the Red List of Threatened Species | More than 200 |
| Common uses | Food, medicine |
| Role in nature | Decompose dead matter, produce food for beetles and wasps larvae, form essential relationships with other organisms, help plants absorb water and minerals |
| Alternative term | Funga |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are neither flora nor fauna, they are fungi
Mushrooms are neither flora nor fauna; they are fungi. While the terms flora and fauna are commonly used to describe plant and animal life, respectively, they do not encompass the entirety of life on Earth. In fact, most organisms do not fit neatly into either of these two categories. Fungi, including mushrooms, constitute their own kingdom.
Fungi include the familiar mushroom-forming species, as well as yeasts, molds, smuts, and rusts. They are distinct from plants in that they lack chlorophyll and must absorb nutrients from other materials. They are also not animals, as they do not consume or produce their own food through digestion. Instead, fungi play a vital role in nature by decomposing dead organic matter and forming relationships with other organisms, such as plants and bacteria.
The unique characteristics of fungi have led mycologists to advocate for the inclusion of a third category, "funga", alongside flora and fauna." This term was coined in 2018 to raise awareness of the ecological importance of fungi and to promote their conservation. Fungi face similar threats to other kingdoms, such as habitat loss and climate change, yet they have often been overlooked in global conservation efforts.
The addition of "funga" to the popular phrase "flora and fauna" aims to address this oversight and ensure that fungi are considered in environmental policies and protected by international laws. By recognizing fungi as a distinct kingdom of life, we can better appreciate their value and contribution to the planet's health and biodiversity.
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The term funga has been proposed to accompany 'flora' and 'fauna'
The terms "flora" and "fauna" are commonly used to refer to the diversity of plant and animal life in a particular area, respectively. However, these terms do not adequately include fungi, which are neither plants nor animals. To address this oversight, the term "funga" has been proposed to accompany "flora" and "fauna" in conversations about the diversity of life on Earth.
The word "funga" was coined by mycologists in 2018 to describe the levels of fungal diversity in a specific region, analogous to how "flora" and "fauna" are used. The proposal for the term "funga" is part of a broader initiative called "Fauna, Flora, Funga" or "FF&F", which aims to elevate the status of fungi in conservation and environmental protection discussions. This initiative recognizes that fungi have long been overlooked despite their critical role in sustaining life on Earth and seeks to advocate for their inclusion in international environmental and conservation laws and policies.
The inclusion of "funga" in the phrase "flora and fauna" is intended to reflect the importance of fungi to ecosystem health and to trigger change through language. By using "mycologically inclusive language," it is hoped that fungi will gain greater recognition and attention in conservation efforts. Fungi face similar threats as other kingdoms of life, such as habitat loss and climate change, and they form essential relationships with other organisms. Therefore, their inclusion in conservation strategies is paramount.
The term "funga" has already gained support from various organizations and government agencies, including the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity and countries such as Australia, Brazil, and Iceland. The movement towards recognizing "funga" alongside "flora" and "fauna" reflects an increasing appreciation of the fungal kingdom and its vital role in the interconnected web of life on Earth. This recognition is crucial for safeguarding and revitalizing our planet, as fungi are not just plants or animals but their own distinct kingdom of life.
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Fungi include mushrooms, moulds, yeasts, and more
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals; they are fungi. Fungi are a separate taxonomic kingdom, distinct from bacteria, single-cell eukaryotes, plants, and animals. Fungi include mushrooms, moulds, yeasts, and more. They are characterised by having true nuclei in their cells and filamentous hyphae, or yeast forms, and they obtain nutrition as decomposers.
Yeasts are single-celled fungi that reproduce by budding. They are oval or elliptical in shape and can only be seen under a microscope. Moulds, on the other hand, form multicellular hyphae, which are long filaments that grow by apical extension. Some fungi can take on both forms, depending on the conditions, and are called "dimorphic".
Fungi play an important role in food preparation and preservation, and they have a long history of human use. For example, baker's yeast or Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a unicellular fungus, is used to make bread and other wheat-based products. Additionally, many species of fungi have been used or are being developed for industrial pharmaceutical production, including antibiotics, vitamins, and anti-cancer and cholesterol-lowering drugs.
Despite their ecological importance, fungi have often been left out of conservation discussions and plans. To address this, mycologists are advocating for the addition of the term "funga" to the popular phrase "flora and fauna". This would help raise awareness of the importance of fungi in ecosystems and encourage their inclusion in conservation policies. The term "funga" was coined in 2018 by mycologists, and it is hoped that its use will increase recognition of the value of fungi and lead to their better conservation.
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Fungi are essential for the health of other organisms
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals; they are fungi. Fungi are a diverse group of organisms, ranging from single-celled to very complex multicellular organisms. They can be microscopic or present large fruiting bodies with underground systems that extend for miles.
Fungi also contribute to food security for humans and other organisms. They have long been used as a direct source of human food, in the form of edible mushrooms and truffles. They are also used in the fermentation of various food products, such as wine, beer, and soy sauce. Additionally, baker's yeast, a type of fungus, is used in bread-making and other wheat-based products. Fungi have been used for the production of antibiotics since the 1940s, and more recently, various enzymes produced by fungi are used industrially and in detergents.
Fungi also play a role in pest control. For example, they are used as biological pesticides to control weeds, plant diseases, and insect pests. Additionally, certain insects, such as ambrosia beetles and wood wasps, have a mutualistic relationship with specific fungi, where the insects cultivate the fungi for their nutritional benefits.
Despite their importance, fungi have often been left out of conservation discussions and plans, and their biodiversity is threatened by various factors, including habitat loss, climate change, deforestation, land conversion to agriculture, and soil degradation. Therefore, sustainable soil management and ecosystem conservation are crucial to preserving fungi diversity and maintaining their essential role in the health of other organisms.
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Fungi are often overlooked in conservation efforts
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals; they are fungi. While the terms "flora" and "fauna" are commonly used to describe plant and animal diversity, respectively, they do not encompass fungi. This has resulted in the relatively recent proposal of the term "funga" to be added to the popular phrase "flora and fauna".
Fungi, including mushrooms, are often overlooked in conservation efforts, despite being essential to ecosystems, societies, and economies. They play a crucial role in breaking down organic matter, interacting with other organisms, and contributing to forest carbon storage, nutrient cycling, plant growth, and resistance to environmental stress. They are also a source of food, medicine, and artistic inspiration for humans. However, they face threats such as habitat loss and climate change, with more than 200 species listed as threatened or endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
One reason for the lack of conservation attention to fungi may be their perception as "uncharismatic," lacking the human appeal of other species. Their diversity is also cryptic, with many species looking similar but being genetically distinct. As a result, conservation projects for fungi struggle to secure funding and public interest.
However, there is growing momentum to recognise fungi as a distinct kingdom in conservation strategies, equal to animals and plants. The term "funga" has been proposed by mycologists to raise the conservation profile of mushrooms, molds, and yeasts, and it has gained support from organisations such as the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. Local initiatives, such as the letter signed by over 70 mycologists and biologists in Quebec, also advocate for the integration of fungi into legislative frameworks. These efforts aim to correct misconceptions about fungi and ensure they receive the recognition and protection they deserve.
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Frequently asked questions
Fauna refers to an area's animal diversity, and flora refers to its plant diversity.
No, mushrooms are not fauna. Mushrooms are not animals.
No, mushrooms are not flora. Mushrooms are not plants.
Mushrooms are fungi. They constitute their own kingdom, which also includes yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts.
