“Funga” refers to the kingdom of fungi, and its importance is often underappreciated in discussions of biodiversity, where attention primarily goes to flora (plants) and fauna (animals). However, fungi play a crucial role in ecosystems and should be recognized as equally essential. Read to learn more about the attempt to recognise fungi as a separate kingdom alongside Flora and Fauna.
At the upcoming COP16 meeting in Colombia (starting October 21, 2024), Chile and the UK will propose a significant shift in environmental conservation by introducing fungi as a separate taxonomical kingdom, named “funga,” to be considered alongside flora (plants) and fauna (animals).
In August 2021, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Species Survival Commission (IUCN SSC) and IUCN Re: wild became the first organisations to recognise fungi as one of three kingdoms of life.
The Flora, fauna, funga
The proposal, co-sponsored by the two governments, advocates for formally recognising fungi in conservation policies and laws.
- The rationale is that fungi play a crucial role in ecosystem health by aiding in soil remediation, carbon sequestration, nutrient cycling, and even the breakdown of pollutants such as plastics.
- Despite their immense ecological importance, fungi have been historically underrepresented in global conservation efforts.
- The plan aims to elevate the status of mushrooms, yeasts, lichens, and other fungi, recognizing their vital contributions to combating the climate crisis, deforestation, and pollution.
- If accepted, the “funga” concept would result in a trio of conservation priorities: flora, fauna, and funga.
- Chile has already made strides by integrating fungal protection into its national environmental policies, setting a global precedent.
- This move underscores the increasing recognition that fungi are fundamental to life on Earth, interwoven with plant and animal kingdoms.
- By creating legal protections for fungi, this proposal seeks to ensure that their ecological roles-such as supporting tree growth, enabling mammalian digestion, and absorbing carbon are maintained in the face of growing environmental threats.
This push for fungal conservation reflects a deeper understanding of the intricate relationships between fungi and other living organisms and their potential to address global environmental challenges.
What is fungus?
Fungi are a kingdom of eukaryotic organisms distinct from plants, animals, and bacteria.
- They include microorganisms such as yeasts, moulds, and more complex organisms like mushrooms.
- Fungi are heterotrophic, meaning they obtain nutrients by breaking down organic material.
- They play crucial roles in decomposition, symbiotic relationships (e.g., mycorrhizae with plants), and as pathogens in both plants and animals.
Key Characteristics:
- Eukaryotic: Fungi have a defined nucleus and organelles.
- Cell Walls: Unlike plants, fungi have cell walls made of chitin, not cellulose.
- Absorptive Nutrition: They secrete enzymes to digest food externally before absorbing the nutrients.
- Reproduction: Can reproduce both sexually and asexually, often via spores.
Classification of Fungi:
Fungi are classified into different groups based on their reproductive structures and life cycles. The main groups are:
- Zygomycota:
- Example: Rhizopus (bread mold).
- Characterized by the formation of zygospores during sexual reproduction.
- Ascomycota (Sac Fungi):
- Example: Penicillium, Yeast.
- They produce spores in sac-like structures called asci.
- Basidiomycota (Club Fungi):
- Example: Mushrooms, Rusts, Smuts.
- They produce spores on club-shaped structures called basidia.
- Chytridiomycota:
- Example: Chytrids.
- Mainly aquatic fungi that produce motile spores with flagella.
- Glomeromycota:
- These fungi form symbiotic relationships with plants, particularly mycorrhizal fungi, which assist plants in nutrient uptake.
- Deuteromycota (Imperfect Fungi):
- Example: Fungi that do not fit neatly into other categories, often because their sexual reproduction has not been observed. This is an artificial group.
Ecological Importance:
- Decomposers: Break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients into ecosystems.
- Symbionts: Form relationships with plants (e.g., mycorrhizae) that benefit both organisms.
- Pathogens: Some fungi cause diseases in plants (like rusts) and animals (like athlete’s foot).
Fungi are essential for the balance of ecosystems, agriculture, medicine (e.g., the production of antibiotics like penicillin), and biotechnology.
Why funga is significant?
Ecosystem Functioning:
- Decomposition: Fungi are key decomposers. They break down organic matter, such as dead plants and animals, returning essential nutrients to the soil. Without fungi, nutrient cycling in ecosystems would halt, leading to a buildup of organic waste.
- Soil Health: Many fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots in a process called mycorrhizae. This symbiosis enhances plants’ ability to absorb water and nutrients, improving plant health and productivity.
Biodiversity Support:
- Fungi interact with other organisms in complex networks. For example, they help plants communicate and exchange nutrients via underground mycelial networks, sometimes called the “Wood Wide Web.” This interaction between fungi and plants supports the survival of many species.
Food Sources:
- Fungi themselves serve as food for many organisms, including humans. They are important in natural food webs and as part of our diet (mushrooms, yeast in bread, etc.).
Medicine and Biotechnology:
- Fungi have given rise to critical medical advances, most famously penicillin, an antibiotic derived from Penicillium fungi. Fungi are also used in biotechnology, from enzyme production to pharmaceuticals.
Climate Change Mitigation:
- Fungi, particularly soil fungi, play a role in carbon sequestration. Certain fungi can store carbon underground, helping to mitigate the effects of climate change by reducing the amount of carbon in the atmosphere.
Pathogenic Control:
- While some fungi can be pathogens, many help in controlling populations of harmful organisms, acting as natural pesticides.
Conclusion
Funga is just as critical as flora and fauna because it ensures healthy ecosystems, supports biodiversity, aids in nutrient cycling, contributes to medicine and food systems, and plays a role in combating climate change.
Without fungi, both natural ecosystems and human life would be significantly disrupted.
Previous Year Questions
Q. Which of the following have species that can establish a symbiotic relationship with other organisms? (2021)
- Cnidarians
- Fungi
- Protozoa
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Consider the following: (2021)
- Bacteria
- Fungi
- Virus
Which of the above can be cultured in an artificial/synthetic medium?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Lichens, which are capable of initiating ecological succession even on a bare rock, are actually a symbiotic association of (2014)
(a) algae and bacteria
(b) algae and fungi
(c) bacteria and fungi
(d) fungi and mosses
Q. With reference to the food chains in ecosystems, which of the following kinds of organism is/are known as decomposer organism/organisms? (2013)
- Virus
- Fungi
- Bacteria
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Improper handling and storage of cereal grains and oilseeds result in the production of toxins known as aflatoxins which are not generally destroyed by normal cooking processes. Aflatoxins are produced by (2013)
(a) bacteria
(b) protozoa
(c) moulds
(d) viruses
Related articles:
- Five Kingdom Classification of Animals and Plants
- Fungal diseases
- Diseases caused by microorganisms
- Microbes in Human Welfare
- Microbiome
-Article by Swathi Satish
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