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Fungi quietly support life above and below ground, yet they have long received far less conservation attention than plants and animals. NatureServe is seeking to change that with a new mycology program focused on organisms essential to biodiversity, ecosystems and human health.
Mycology covers fungi such as mushrooms, molds and yeasts, along with lichens. NatureServe, a nonprofit network encompassing more than 60 conservation organizations in the United States and Canada, has selected Dr. Jessica Allen to lead the initiative.
Allen brings two decades of scientific research, university teaching and professional experience to the position. Her fascination with fungi began during her undergraduate years and eventually developed into a particular interest in lichens.
Lichens are composite organisms formed by a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, such as an alga or cyanobacterium. The fungus supplies structure, protection and nutrient absorption, while its partner produces food through photosynthesis.
Found across every continent and in numerous climates, lichens can colonize bare rock. Over time, they help break that rock down and create soil in which plants can grow. They also appear on soil, trees and human-made surfaces.
An overlooked environmental workforce
Fungi are easy to miss because many species are microscopic or remain underground, often connected to plant roots. Others are associated with disease, unpleasant smells, slimy textures or decomposition—all factors that can make them less appealing to the public.
Allen argues that fungi should instead be viewed as environmental allies. Their underground networks nourish plants, while other fungi recycle organic material into fertile soil, provide food for wildlife and produce medically useful compounds. They also play important roles in agriculture, carbon storage and the ability of ecosystems to withstand disruption.
NatureServe calls fungi Earth’s great connectors and recyclers. The organization says their chemistry has already produced lifesaving medicines such as penicillin and lovastatin, a drug used to treat high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease, as well as industrial products including citric acid.
Research reported during the 2010s also drew attention to Pestalotiopsis microspora, a fungus capable of breaking down and consuming polyurethane. That ability could prove significant because plastics are notoriously difficult to recycle and can cause lasting environmental harm.
Millions of species may remain unknown
Scientists have formally described about 150,000 fungal species, but estimates suggest more than 2.5 million could exist worldwide.
Finding them is only one part of the challenge. Fungi, like wildlife, face habitat destruction, pollution and other growing pressures. Yet scientists and conservationists have made relatively few attempts to determine which fungal species are most at risk or to protect them.
Allen said preserving fungal diversity safeguards a “living library of solutions” that could contribute to new medicines and help address emerging health and environmental problems.
NatureServe’s work already has connections to conservation efforts in Virginia. Local master naturalists and tree rescuers use its iMapInvasives platform to track and manage unwanted plant species. The organization also provides free online profiles of species and ecosystems based on verified scientific research, although not every Virginia species has yet been covered.
Allen has co-authored a field guide designed to help people find and identify lichens in urban environments.
NatureServe CEO Anne Bowser said scientists are only beginning to grasp the full extent of fungal diversity. She said bringing greater attention to these organisms could help North America take a leading role in protecting one of the planet’s most essential—and least recognized—kingdoms of life.