Research calls for urgent action to protect fungal networks

Scientists warn that declining protection for fungi threatens ecosystems and agriculture.

Urgent action needed to protect Earth's underground fungal networks

Researchers from the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks have revealed urgent findings regarding Earth's mycorrhizal fungi, indicating that only 9.5% of biodiversity hotspots for these essential organisms are within protected areas. Their study, published in Nature, shows that neglecting these underground networks could harm carbon storage, crop yields, and overall ecosystem resilience to climate change. The team utilized machine learning on a vast dataset of fungal samples from 130 countries, mapping biodiversity across a 1 km² scale. They highlighted the potential loss of critical fungal habitats, especially in regions like the eroding coast of Ghana, emphasizing the need for immediate conservation efforts to protect these vital networks that help sustain plant life and regulate the planet's climate.

The findings from this research underscore a significant oversight in conservation policies. With a mere fraction of fungal biodiversity protected, there is a serious risk of ecological disruption that could limit both agricultural success and climate mitigation efforts. The call for urgent action emphasizes how interconnected our ecosystems truly are; by ignoring the underground networks, we jeopardize the very foundations of life on Earth. Addressing this gap in conservation could not only enhance agricultural productivity but also contribute to combating climate change, making it a critical focus for policymakers.

Highlights

Enhancing our commitment to fungal conservation could be key to a sustainable future.