Scientists speak out for fungi
16 September 2010
Leading mycologists from across the globe have come together to form the world’s first society for the conservation of fungi, aiming to raise awareness of the importance of fungi to all aspects of our lives.
The inaugural meeting of the International Society for Fungal Conservation brought together 50 international scientists from New Zealand, Puerto Rico, South Africa and Russia.
Founder member Dr David Minter, of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, argued that fungi have been almost totally overlooked by mainstream conservation movements.
‘Fungi have no special features making them immune to destructive human activity,’ he said. ‘Habitat loss, climate change and pollution imperil fungi just as much as they do animals and plants. The difference until now has been the absence of voices raised on their behalf.’