Fungi are carbon reservoirs of nature, and play a vital role in the prevention of accelerated climate change.
Fungi are carbon reservoirs of nature, and play a vital role in the prevention of accelerated climate change. Thanks to their mutualistic relationship with trees, they receive carbon dioxide from them through the roots, which helps them grow. Thus, carbon is kept in the soil and not in the atmosphere.There are many new or threatened fungi, so people, mycologists and scientists are needed to help work on classifying and evaluating species, which could be key to protecting crucial ecosystems in the environmental crisis.
Knowing which species of fungi are threatened, allows working based on public policies, in the protection of habitats and becoming aware of human actions. The main threats for fungi are climate change, deforestation of forests, inadequate harvesting, fires, among others.
Fungi are not only a crucial part of the life cycle, but also can contribute to a more sustainable future. For instance, mycelium – a mostly invisible group of fungi, such as mushrooms and conks – is a very real and safe alternative to animal leather as well as plastic packaging. Mycelium leathers and packaging are offering the opportunity to use fungi involved in decomposition as a source of clothing and durable, recyclable and natural materials that are more sustainable to produce
