How Fungi Are Saving the Planet from Carbon Chaos: Nature's Hidden Heroes

According to a study published in Current Biology, fungi play an important role in combating climate change by absorbing over a third of global fossil fuel emissions.

[{"selector":"#anim-84f3daac-1782-411c-bbc0-61a6d1931ce5 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.26287763355662%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b2982c99-21fb-4740-ad36-a7639ec5936b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

Fungi, including mushrooms, have a vast underground network present on every continent and are more similar to animals than plants.

[{"selector":"#anim-140216c4-0b8e-4b60-8f55-6a2fd0f84474 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.26287763355662%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-4cf19f66-4136-40db-81c1-f87bfbd6bd17","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

They provide a foundation for life on land and store approximately 1/3 of the carbon from fossil fuel emissions. These underground networks of fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plant roots.

[{"selector":"#anim-d8f75166-58bc-4c1a-a977-cb37bf5a1ed0 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-11.289491523347898%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9c88b4be-62a6-49b1-8b32-325208d45b2d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

Scientists are now advocating for their inclusion in conservation and biodiversity policies to maximize their carbon sequestration capabilities, recognizing the importance of fungi.

[{"selector":"#anim-9fbaa0d9-d4bf-495d-8882-a40692bf0c2a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.26287763355662%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9acc6b9a-4e64-4272-aa7b-b8bc0d39f905","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

We can mitigate climate change and ensure the health of ecosystems by protecting and preserving underground fungi networks.

[{"selector":"#anim-898f9dcf-cf32-4ff9-b375-3350776a5cb3 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.340144117541946%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-c5e87d23-b543-4d0b-8ee8-3e3def31c455","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

Scientists say mycorrhizal fungi have been supporting life on land for at least 450 million years.

[{"selector":"#anim-fc490cfa-6c80-437f-87d0-ccfea634f536 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.26287763355662%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-a80ac055-ca9f-4e1b-a75b-0e570c10b85b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

The existing potential of mycorrhizal fungi as a natural solution should be considered in efforts to tackle climate change.

[{"selector":"#anim-ae472939-5053-435d-9648-812672d6041a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-34.16037078300663%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8fc2c187-1346-4def-9c24-3657cfb73ea2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

For sustainable land management, it is crucial to study the stability of carbon stored by fungi and the impact of human activities on these underground networks.

[{"selector":"#anim-6ee60601-31b2-4205-a993-76027dd9ae0c [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-32.15144219938795%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-02d1feb9-6712-47a6-8f36-ffff8dfda620","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google

We can enhance our understanding of the intricate balance between ecosystems and climate regulation by acknowledging the role of fungi.

[{"selector":"#anim-4a2372ac-b641-4fa6-8c7f-2b27afe10808 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-31.26287763355662%, 0, 0) translate(-25%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0) translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":2000,"fill":"forwards"}] [{"selector":"#anim-9ed9c4e1-4fbb-472b-b4e3-b0f73aaeada9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.4, 0.4, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Source: Google