Fungi on the Brink: A Hidden Crisis of Extinction

A third of assessed fungi species face extinction due to deforestation and agriculture, reveals a new IUCN Red List report. Despite their essential ecological roles, fungi remain underappreciated. Conservation efforts are challenged by habitat destruction and slow assessment processes for these vital organisms.

An alarming number of fungi species are at risk of extinction, according to a recent report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The organization's latest Red List identifies that nearly a third of the 1,300 fungi species assessed are threatened due to deforestation and agricultural expansion.

Fungi, vital for decomposition, digestion, and forest regeneration, also contribute significantly to medicine and food production. Despite their ecological importance, these organisms are often overlooked. The IUCN aims to raise awareness of their plight and the consequences of losing this crucial component of ecosystems worldwide.

Challenges to fungi conservation include habitat replacement due to urban development and agriculture, which impacts their natural environments. The report highlights that at least 198 species are at risk because of deforestation, and even sustainable forestry practices sometimes fail to support their recovery in old-growth forests.

(With inputs from agencies.)