The Pivotal Role of Fungi in Environmental Health
Learning from fungi could be the key to detoxifying, cleaning, and shaping our environment for the better.
When I was younger, I would never eat mushrooms in any type of food because I thought I was ingesting mould. Even if in my personal opinion mushrooms do taste like mould, they are in fact fungi. (Although to my younger brain, thinking that mushrooms are fungi, not mould, might not have been any better). While fungi might, to some tastes, be the best left off our plate, they are certainly beneficial for our planet.
Fungi as Decomposers
When we think of fungi, we tend to think of think of decomposition — and although that’s not fungi’s whole story, it is an important aspect of how they contribute to the health of our environment. Fungi are nature’s recyclers, breaking down organic matter to replenish the soil with essential nutrients. This decomposition process supports nutrient cycling, ensuring the sustenance of plant life and, by extension, all terrestrial life forms. Studies published in the Journal of Ecology have highlighted that without fungi, forests would be buried under piles of undecomposed leaves and wood, disrupting the balance of ecosystems. Therefore, fungi being able to decompose is essential to how we receive nutrients and many other plants throughout the ecosystem making them a necessary part of environmental health.
Fungi also can break down hard matter that few other organisms are able to. For example, a fungi called basidiomycetes white-rot fungi is known for being able to break down lignin. Lignin is a class of polymers that form key structural patterns in most plants and highly resistant to degradation due to its structure. However, the white-rot fungi mentioned earlier is known for being able to break down such tough substances, and not only is it converting this into CO2 and H2O, it is able to harness nutrients from the substances it decomposes to aid its own central metabolism.
Understanding this process can lead to new biotechnological applications, such as the conversion of lignin into value-added products, crucial for a sustainable plant-based bioeconomy. Overall, fungi should be rightfully known as decomposers given the lengths many species of fungi can decompose and balance our environment.
Fungi as Carbon Removers
Amidst the escalating climate crisis, fungi offer hope through their capacity for carbon sequestration. Sequestration in biology means the net removal of CO2 from the atmosphere by plants and microorganisms and its storage in vegetative biomass and soils. This process is crucial to the carbon cycle and maintaining proper levels amidst an artificial increase in carbon levels. By decomposing organic matter, fungi convert carbon into soil organic matter, locking it away from the atmosphere.
Science Daily explains how fungi hold a third of our carbon emissions, and will be pivotal in carbon emission reduction. A specific type of fungi called mycorrhizal fungi are responsible for holding up to 36 percent of yearly global fossil fuel emissions below ground — more than China emits each year.
Furthermore, going back to the white-rot fungi, by breaking down lignin, they are also able to contribute to the carbon cycle. If we as a society are able to harness the power of fungi against the growing rate of carbon, it could be a vital part of the solutions we are already crafting. This natural carbon capture process highlights the necessity of preserving fungal biodiversity as a strategy against global warming.
Fungi and Symbiotic Relationships
Fungi contribute to biodiversity through their symbiotic relationships with plants. Mycorrhizal fungi also form mutualistic associations with plant roots and enhance nutrient and water uptake, bolstering plant health and productivity. This symbiosis, which affects nearly 90% of Earth’s plant species, is crucial for the health of ecosystems worldwide. Research in Mycorrhiza has shown that these partnerships support plant diversity and stabilize ecosystems, making them more resilient to environmental stressors.
There are two types of mycorrhiza fungi, ectomycorrhizae fungi and endomycorrhizae fungi. Even though I can barely pronounce any of these names, they are some of the most influential fungi that influence our environment immensely. The first type of these fungi form a sheath around plant roots and penetrate the spaces between plant cells without entering the cells themselves. They are involved in a nutrient exchange where the plant provides sugars to the fungi, and in return, the fungi supply the plant with water and nutrients like phosphorus, nitrogen, and potassium from the soil.
The second type (endomycorrhizae) does something similar, penetrating the plant root cells, creating structures that help in nutrient transfer, particularly phosphorus. This type of mycorrhiza is common in herbaceous plants and tropical trees. Mycorrhiza has a huge impact on plant nutrition and this symbiotic relationship helps enhance the plant nutrient intake and have a huge benefit on the environment.
Some fungi also have mutualistic relationships with insects. For instance, leaf-cutter ants and certain termites cultivate fungi, which they feed on. These fungi decompose organic matter that the insects bring back to their nests, providing a digestible food source for the colony. In return, the fungi benefit from a controlled environment and a steady supply of material to decompose.
These symbiotic relationships highlight the versatility of fungi as both supporters and beneficiaries in their interactions with other organisms. They not only contribute to the health and sustainability of their partners but also play critical roles in nutrient cycling and ecological balance.
Fungi as Environmental Detoxifiers
In environmental conservation, fungi emerge as potent agents of bioremediation. Bioremediation is the use of microbes to clean up contaminated soil and groundwater. Furthermore, their enzymatic abilities allow them to break down pollutants, from pesticides to plastics, detoxifying environments marred by human activity. Innovations in fungal biotechnology, as reported in Environmental Science & Technology, demonstrate fungi’s potential in cleansing oil spill sites, purifying wastewater, and degrading persistent pollutants. For example, fungi have also been shown to degrade toxic dyes like Congo Red into non-toxic components, reducing their environmental impact. This process not only prevents potential harm to aquatic life but also contributes to safer water systems. These capabilities position fungi as invaluable allies in restoring ecological health to contaminated sites.
Some fungi even have the ability to absorb heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and mercury from their environments. This makes them invaluable in cleaning up soil and water contaminated by these toxic substances. For example, the Shaggy Ink Cap mushroom is known for its ability to absorb mercury from the soil, thereby preventing this heavy metal from contaminating nearby water sources. This can be extremely beneficial to keeping the environment clean and preventing damage to other species who could be affected by the toxic substances in soil.
Moreover, fungi can break down a wide array of complex and harmful chemicals due to their diverse enzymatic capabilities. This includes the breakdown of persistent organic pollutants (POPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and even some pharmaceuticals and personal care products. These capabilities not only reduce the toxicity of these pollutants but also help in managing waste in more environmentally friendly ways.
These functions highlight the potential of fungi as cost-effective, efficient, and environmentally-friendly solutions for managing and mitigating environmental pollutants. Their unique biological properties enable them to tackle contamination that might be challenging or impossible to manage with traditional mechanical or chemical remediation methods.
The Path Forward: Embracing Fungal Conservation
As we navigate the challenges posed by environmental degradation and climate change, the conservation of fungal diversity becomes imperative. Protecting habitats, reducing pollution, and supporting fungal research are critical steps in leveraging fungi’s environmental benefits. Looking back at the power and abilities of fungi and their role in the environment, it shows the potential we have as a society to harness their power in our upcoming climate change solutions.
Learning from fungi could be the key to detoxifying, cleaning, and shaping our environment for the better. By fostering an understanding of fungi’s roles and advocating for their conservation, we can harness their potential to sustain and heal our planet. If younger me knew the power of fungi, maybe I would have eaten my mushrooms more often*.
*Actually, I still wouldn’t have eaten them!
Published in The New Climate. Follow for the latest in climate action.
