A fungal perspective on conservation biology

Abstract

Hitherto fungi have rarely been considered in conservation biology, but this is changing as the field moves from addressing single species issues to an integrative ecosystem-based approach. The current emphasis on biodiversity as a provider of ecosystem services throws the spotlight on the vast diversity of fungi, their crucial roles in terrestrial ecosystems, and the benefits of considering fungi in concert with animals and plants. We reviewed the role of fungi in ecosystems and composed an overview of the current state of conservation of fungi. There are 5 areas in which fungi can be readily integrated into conservation: as providers of habitats and processes important for other organisms; as indicators of desired or undesired trends in ecosystem functioning; as indicators of habitats of conservation value; as providers of powerful links between human societies and the natural world because of their value as food, medicine, and biotechnological tools; and as sources of novel tools and approaches for conservation of megadiverse organism groups. We hope conservation professionals will value the potential of fungi, engage mycologists in their work, and appreciate the crucial role of fungi in nature.

Functional response of lignicolous fungal guilds to bark beetle deforestation

“…It is hypothesized that differences in dieback history might lead to different communities involved in subsequent successional pathways (cf. Heilmann-Clausen et al, 2015;Junninen and Komonen, 2011). Hence, in areas with a high variety of dead wood, species richness might be considerably higher (see also Bässler et al, 2012).…”

Metagenomic analysis exploring taxonomic and functional diversity of soil microbial communities in Chilean vineyards and surrounding native forests

“…The surrounding natural landscapes are dominated by native sclerophyllous forests and shrubs, thus these ecosystems likely represent the soil characteristics of the area before the establishment of the vineyard. The knowledge of the soil microbial communities of native habitats could provide valuable information for the conservation management of vulnerable ecosystems (Heilmann-Clausen et al, 2014) such as for the Chilean Mediterranean region (Mittermeier et al, 2011; Hannah et al, 2013; Viers et al, 2013). Knowledge of microbial community dynamics found in this biome is scarce and metagenomic studies could provide a starting point for the conservation of microbial diversity and for the preservation of ecosystem functions provided by natural habitats (Gardi et al, 2009).…”

Towards a Microbial Conservation Perspective in High Mountain Lakes

“…Other taxa with substantial novelty were found within the Opisthokonta (Fungi). Fungi have been invoked as a target group to develop a microbial perspective on conservation biology because both it is important by itself and the fact that fungi biodiversity and their ecosystems roles can benefit conservation in general (Griffith 2012;Heilmann-Clausen et al 2015). …”