Millions of fungi we know nothing about

It seems that everyone knows at least a few mushrooms, so one might get the impression that we know quite a lot about the world of fungi. Well, if not us, then certainly the scientists (mycologists) who study mushrooms. But it turns out that even scientists' knowledge of mushrooms is just the tip of the iceberg – so far, only 10% of all species have been discovered.

The World of Fungi: Why Do We Know So Little?

Today, scientists worldwide have registered about 155,000–170,000 species of fungi. In Lithuania, their number reaches about 7,000 species. But this is only a very small part! Global mycologists estimate that the total number of fungal species could be anywhere from 2 to 13 million. So, no one knows exactly how many fungal species live on our planet.

This is due to several interrelated reasons:

• Fungal research receives insufficient funding, as this field is often considered secondary.
• There is a shortage of specialists researching this field. As one Lithuanian mycology scientist said, students are interested in fungi only until the conversation turns to meticulous, time-consuming, and patience-demanding work in the laboratory.
• Most fungi are microscopic, and their discovery requires advanced technologies and special attention.

For example, a single tablespoon of soil can harbor hundreds of previously unknown microscopic fungal species.

How long will it take us to discover all fungi?

At the current rate of new species discoveries, scientists predict that it will take another 750–1000 years before we have described all fungal species. This comparison, shared by scientist Prof. Alexandre Antonelli from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, perfectly conveys the mystery of the fungal world:

"Studying fungi is like studying space. They are the dark matter of nature."

Fungi - the largest group of organisms?

Fungi are the second most diverse group of organisms in the world, second only to invertebrates. However, based on other projections, it is likely that fungi may be the largest group of organisms on Earth. It is interesting that the most abundant groups of organisms (fungi, invertebrate animals) are the least studied and protected. This is a paradox, as the survival of both plants and animals depends on fungi. They are vitally important to the entire ecosystem, yet they remain on the margins of scientific attention.

Why are fungi important?

Fungi perform a vital function in ecosystems. They break down organic matter, form soil, help plants absorb water and minerals, and also produce antibiotics and other biologically active substances. Without fungi, neither plants, animals, nor ourselves could survive. The world of fungi is incredibly rich and diverse, yet we still know very little about it. By continuing to study fungi, we can discover new medicines, food products, and technologies. However, this requires more attention to fungal research and protection.