Sarah Brown
Mushrooms and fungi are an important component of tundra and arctic habitats. They enhance nutrient uptake in plants and replenish poor soils through decomposition. Fungi are one of the most species-rich groups of organisms in the Arctic, with over 4,350 known species, and they constitute a large portion of Arctic biodiversity. They can survive in the tundra by decomposing organic remains and growing in the absence of sunlight. While many of the over 1,000 species of mushrooms in the Far North are edible, they have a bad reputation among the Inuit people, who believe they are the ears of evil spirits or the excrement of shooting stars.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Are there mushrooms in the tundra? | Yes, there are mushrooms in the tundra. |
| Types of mushrooms in the tundra | Cup/sac fungi, club fungi, jelly fungi, coral fungi, puffball fungi, gilled fungi/agarics, mycorrhizal mushrooms, and toadstools. |
| Edibility of tundra mushrooms | Many tundra mushrooms are edible, but some are deadly poisonous. |
| Cultural beliefs about tundra mushrooms | Some Inuit groups believe mushrooms are repulsive and avoid consuming them. They associate mushrooms with caribou food, slime, and the excrement of shooting stars. |
| Fungal diversity in the tundra | The tundra is home to a diverse range of fungi, with an estimated 4,350 known fungal species in the Arctic, including lichenized fungi (lichens) and non-lichenized fungi. Local species richness can be high, with about 50 lichen species found in a small area. |
| Ecological role of tundra fungi | Fungi play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility by decomposing dead organic material and enhancing nutrient uptake in plants. They also have medicinal properties, such as clotting blood and providing antibiotics. |
| Impact of climate change on tundra fungi | Climate change is expected to gradually affect the distribution and abundance of tundra fungi over time, particularly due to changes in vascular plant flora and vegetation. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms grow in tundra regions
Mushrooms do grow in tundra regions, but they are not as common as other types of fungi. The tundra is a biome characterized by arctic conditions and a lack of vegetation. Fungi, including mushrooms, can thrive in this environment because they can survive by decomposing organic remains and growing without sunlight. In fact, every acre of Arctic tundra contains more than two tons of live fungi, which is more than is found in a birch forest in interior Alaska. Fungi contribute significantly to plant life in the tundra by decomposing dead trees and plants and maintaining soil fertility.
While mushrooms are not the most prevalent form of fungi in the tundra, they do exist and play an important role in the ecosystem. Some of the mushrooms found in tundra regions include cup or sac fungi, club fungi, and gilled mushrooms. Cup or sac fungi come in a variety of colors, from bright yellow-orange to dull brown. Club fungi are named for their club-shaped, spore-producing shells. Gilled mushrooms, also known as agarics, are often edible, but caution must be exercised when consuming wild mushrooms as some are poisonous.
In addition to these, there are also coral fungi and puffball fungi in tundra regions. Coral fungi and puffball fungi resemble aquatic coral or puffballs, respectively. Some varieties of these fungi are mildly poisonous and are not commonly consumed. However, the spores of puffball fungi have been used by the Inuit to stop bleeding and prevent bacterial infections in wounds.
Despite the presence of edible mushrooms in tundra regions, local peoples such as the Inuit often have a negative perception of mushrooms and avoid consuming them. Different Inuit groups have different words and beliefs associated with mushrooms that reflect their aversion to eating them. For example, the Inupiaq of Alaska call mushrooms "argaignag," which translates to "that which makes your hands fall off." Similarly, the Yupik believe that mushrooms are the "devil's ears" and should be avoided.
While mushrooms are not the dominant form of fungi in tundra regions, they still play an important ecological role and have cultural significance for the local peoples. The study of tundra mushrooms and their impact on the ecosystem is an ongoing area of research, and the effects of climate change on tundra fungal diversity are expected to be significant in the long term.
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Fungi contribute to biodiversity
Fungi are an essential part of Arctic biodiversity and contribute significantly to the functioning of Arctic terrestrial ecosystems. They are one of the most species-rich groups of organisms in the Arctic, with over 4,350 known fungal species, including lichens. The tundra, a biome characterized by arctic conditions and a relative lack of vegetation, supports a wide variety of fungi due to their ability to survive by decomposing organic remains in the absence of sunlight.
Fungi also have symbiotic relationships with other organisms, such as lichens, which are hybrids of algae and fungi. Lichens are commonly found on wood in various stages of decomposition and may play a role in wood decomposition, although this has not been conclusively proven. Additionally, some lichens grow on the surfaces of substrates, contributing colourfully to Arctic vegetation, particularly in the high Arctic and reindeer lichen-dominated vegetation in the sub-Arctic.
Fungi also have medicinal properties. For example, the spores of puffball fungi have been used to stop bleeding and possess antibiotic properties, similar to penicillin, which is derived from the fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Furthermore, fungi are essential in the production of antibiotics, such as penicillin, and the industrial production of vitamins and citric acid.
Fungi, including mushrooms, are abundant in Alaskan and Russian forests and other Arctic locations. While some mushrooms in these regions are edible, others are mildly poisonous. It is important to exercise extreme caution when consuming wild mushrooms, as some can be deadly poisonous. Additionally, cultural beliefs and practices regarding mushroom consumption vary among different Inuit groups, with some considering them taboo or repulsive.
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Lichens are common in the tundra
The tundra is a biome characterized by arctic conditions and a relative lack of vegetation. Fungi, including mushrooms, lichens, and other varieties, are abundant in the tundra. Fungi survive by decomposing organic remains and can grow without sunlight. Lichens, in particular, are common in the tundra.
Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a fungus and an alga and/or cyanobacteria in a symbiotic partnership. They are highly sensitive to environmental conditions, including airborne contaminants, substrate chemistry, and climate. This sensitivity makes them good indicators of environmental change and ecosystem health. Lichens can be found in various ecosystems, from intertidal zones to mountain tops, and they grow on soil, rock, bark, wood, and even buildings.
In tundra systems, lichens often dominate the ground cover, acting as a buffer against microclimate extremes within or at the surface of the soil. Lichens can reduce maximum temperatures and increase minimum temperatures, thereby moderating the daily temperature range. They also tend to reduce soil moisture by intercepting rainfall.
Lichens are ecologically important, providing food, shelter, and nesting material for wildlife. They play a role in hydrological and mineral cycles, particularly nitrogen fixation. Certain lichen species, such as the arctic finger lichen (Dactylina arctica), are abundant and sensitive to changes in the environment, making them useful indicators of long-term ecological trends.
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Fungi have medicinal uses
The tundra is a biome characterized by arctic conditions and a relative lack of vegetation. Fungi, including mushrooms, can be found in this environment as they can survive by decomposing organic remains and can grow without sunlight. Fungi play a crucial role in maintaining soil fertility by decomposing dead trees and plants.
Fungi have a wide range of medicinal uses and are an important source of various drugs and treatments. Fungi are a source of ergosterol, which can be converted to vitamin D2 upon exposure to ultraviolet light. Additionally, some fungi naturally produce antibiotics that can kill or stop the growth of harmful bacteria. For example, Penicillium rubens was discovered by Alexander Fleming in 1928, leading to the development of the antibiotic penicillin. Other antibiotics derived from fungi include fumagillin, isolated from Aspergillus fumigatus, and pleuromutilin, derived from Omphalina mutila and Clitopilus passeckerianus.
Fungi have also been used to produce cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins. The first commercial statin, lovastatin, was extracted from Aspergillus terreus. Transgenic yeasts, a type of fungus, are used to produce insulin analogs and artemisinin, which is used to treat malaria. Griseofulvin, derived from Penicillium species, and caspofungin, derived from Glarea lozoyensis, are additional examples of drugs derived from fungi.
Some mushrooms, such as Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) or "sun mushroom," are known for their medicinal properties and have been used traditionally to prevent a range of diseases, including cancer, hepatitis, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, and dermatitis. Organic selenium derived from Ganoderma lucidum has shown potential in managing childhood asthma by reducing inflammation and restoring antioxidant enzyme levels.
Fungi have also played a role in traditional medicine practices. For example, in Ancient Egypt, moldy bread was applied to wound infections, and Inonotus obliquus was used in folk medicine for tumor treatment in Russia and Northern Europe during the 16th century. Hallucinogenic mushrooms, such as Amanita muscaria or "magic mushrooms," have been used for their psychotropic effects and contain compounds like psilocybin and psilocin.
Overall, fungi play a significant role in medicine, contributing to the development of antibiotics, cholesterol-lowering drugs, insulin analogs, and various traditional remedies.
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Mushrooms have cultural significance
Mushrooms have been an important part of human culture for thousands of years. From the ancient Greeks to modern Western counterculture, psychedelic mushrooms have played a significant role in religious ceremonies, divination, and spiritual exploration. Many cultures believe that mushrooms act as a bridge between the real world and the spirit world, facilitating communication with the divine. This belief persists today, with several cultures continuing to use mushrooms for their hallucinogenic effects and healing medicinal properties.
The Fly Agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria) has a long history in the shamanic traditions of Siberian, Tungusic, and Samoyedic cultures. This mushroom is believed to provide access to unseen layers of reality and facilitate communication with ancestral spirits. Siberian shamans consumed the mushroom after various ritualistic preparations, such as fasting and isolation, to enhance its spiritual effects.
In ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, such as the Aztec and Maya cultures, mushrooms held a critical role in religious and spiritual life. These groups used mushrooms for healing and as a gateway to spiritual insights. The deep connection to psychedelic mushrooms in these cultures is evident in the elaborate iconography of Mesoamerican art, where mushrooms are often depicted as sacred objects held by gods or consumed by priests.
Even today, mushrooms continue to hold cultural significance in various communities. For example, the Zapotecs from Oaxaca, Mexico, have a rich traditional mycological knowledge that has been studied to understand the cultural significance of wild edible mushrooms. The Edible Mushroom Cultural Significance Index, developed based on questionnaires administered to Zapotec individuals, includes variables such as frequency of mention, perceived abundance, taste, multifunctional food use, and economic importance. This index helps reveal the cultural value and behaviour of different mushroom species.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, mushrooms and other fleshy fungi are important components of arctic and alpine habitats. They enhance nutrient uptake in plants and replenish poor soils through decomposition.
Many of the over 1,000 species of mushrooms in the Far North are edible, but some are deadly poisonous. Extreme care must be taken when selecting a wild mushroom to eat.
Different Inuit groups have different words and phrases to indicate their aversion to eating mushrooms. For example, the Inupiaq of Alaska call mushrooms "argaignag" (that which makes your hands fall off). The Yupik believe mushrooms are the ears of evil spirits, and they call them "chertovysuhi ushi" (devil’s ears).
