At a UN summit where global leaders are gathered to protect the world’s biodiversity, a team of researchers is advocating for the conservation of fungi, a diverse and often overlooked kingdom of species. Fungi on Earth outweigh all animals combined and encompass an estimated 5 million species, ranging from edible mushrooms to tiny organisms crucial for ecosystems. Chilean mycologist Giuliana Furci emphasizes the vital role of fungi, stating that the world would not exist as we know it without them.
Despite their significance, fungi have historically been excluded from conservation efforts targeting plants and animals, sparking Furci’s creation of the Fungi Foundation in 2012, the first nonprofit dedicated to preserving fungi worldwide. The Global Fungal Conservation Network, including organizations like Canada’s Mycosphaera, recently launched the Global Strategy for Fungal Conservation at the COP17 UN biodiversity conference in Armenia.
The ongoing UN summit is assessing progress on the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, aiming to safeguard 30% of the world’s land and waters by 2030. However, while the agreement stresses the importance of balancing the well-being of humans, animals, and plants, fungi are not explicitly mentioned.
Recognized as a separate kingdom in 1969, fungi are integral to the survival of numerous species. Furci underscores the critical role fungi play in ecological functions and addressing global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. The fungi face similar threats as other organisms, such as fungicides, habitat loss, and climate change, yet actions tailored to ensure their survival have been lacking.
Given the interconnectedness of fungi with various organisms and ecosystems, understanding these relationships is crucial for habitat restoration efforts. Although challenges exist in identifying and quantifying rare fungi due to their microscopic nature and complex life cycles, conservationists are striving to include fungi in biodiversity monitoring and national conservation strategies.
The Fungi Foundation’s fungal conservation pledge, already endorsed by 14 countries, aims to elevate the recognition of fungi within global conservation agreements. Furci believes that raising public awareness about fungi’s importance can drive meaningful change, urging individuals to acknowledge and incorporate fungi into daily conversations alongside plants and animals.