This is an archive article published on September 2, 2023

Opinion Express View on fungi: Belated recognition

Recognition of fungi as a part of the ‘flora, fauna, funga’ trinity was long overdue. Studying and protecting them on equal footing with plants and animals is crucial

Fungi, Fungi Foundation, fungal kingdom, fungal species, colourish soil, carbon sinks, UN on fungi, nature's clean-up committee, indian express

The unfortunate reputation may be set to change with a recent call put out by the Fungi Foundation, in association with the UN, to recognise “funga”, along with flora and fauna, as part of the trinity of life on Earth and of being as deserving of research and conservation attention as the other two.

By: Editorial

September 2, 2023 07:28 AM IST First published on: Sep 2, 2023 at 07:28 AM IST

They nourish soil, create carbon sinks, provide sustenance to all manner of creatures and are a crucial part of nature’s clean-up committee. And yet, the hardworking denizens of the fungal kingdom have long suffered from an image problem, thanks to centuries of association with disease and death (only a small minority of fungal species are responsible for these).

Because when it comes to multitasking, few life forms can match the monumental capacity of these microscopic workers. Need to clean up pollutants, like during an oil spill? Deploy the prodigiously hungry fungi to break them down. Plants need to communicate a potential aphid attack to each other? The underground mycorrhizal fungi network kicks into action, transmitting danger signals — a “wood wide web” in action. Looking for sustainable alternatives to plastic? Explore the possibilities in the styrofoam-like qualities of certain mushrooms.

From turning grape to wine and dough to fluffy buns to being the source for a host of antiviral and anti-cancer compounds, fungi have much to offer.

Yet, apart from the tiny number valued for their culinary and medicinal properties, fungi are neglected. Only an estimated 10 per cent of all fungal species have been described so far — until 1969, fungi were not even recognised as a distinct kingdom. The little that is known about them now makes it clear that life on Earth is impossible without fungi — placing them alongside plants and animals, and studying and protecting them with equal urgency, could be key to protecting it from the grave challenges of the future.