Fungal Conservation in Environmental History (original) (raw)

Abstract

Charismatic organisms are keystones of global conservation that has focussed predominantly on flora and fauna. Meanwhile, another kingdom of organisms has been almost entirely neglected. Fungi are seldom recognised for their role in supporting the biosphere including the significance of their interconnectivities with our own species. The 1980s witnessed a ‘mycological enlightenment’ both in Europe and Australia marked by a surge of interest to document and conserve fungi. Despite these advancements, fungi continue to be largely excluded from global conservation rendering current approaches highly questionable in their capacity to protect the earth’s biodiversity. Primary legislation and treaties governing biodiversity conservation in Europe and Australia have both largely omitted fungi. This paper will explore how a cross-cultural examination of European and Australian conservation history offers opportunities to marry the extensive mycological history and knowledge in Europe, with the unique and astute approaches toward environmental conservation that are unfolding in Australia. In particular it will report on recent research into the historical perceptions of fungi over the last 150 years and how these have influenced attitudes toward this kingdom. While macrofungi have historically been studied predominantly by botanists and mycologists, a great suite of disciplinary lenses is necessary to understand and recognise the significance of fungi. Understanding historical perceptions of the value of fungi allows us to make conceptual shifts in our understanding of "nature", situate fungi within that understanding, and include fungi more profoundly within our lives. The earth's biosystems have been acutely affected during the Anthropocene reflected in the substantial increase in species extinction. In the light of this decline, the importance of fungi, especially in maintaining vital ecosystem processes, becomes even more pertinent. To continue to exclude fungi from conservation, environmental history and our lives will have implications for the entire biosphere, including Homo sapiens.

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