Facts about fungi

Today since it was quite gloomy outside I decided to research about fungi.

According to scientists, there are approximately 1.5 million species of fungi but many have not been identified yet. They are found in all possible habitats and are microscopic to macroscopic.

They feed either on living organisms or on dead organic material and as a result of this are, with bacteria, the primary decomposers in different ecosystems. They feed by releasing enzymes that can break down lignin, which is a structurally complex substance in wood. Because of this they are considered the major wood decomposers in forests. To absorb the organic matter they release acids that melt organic matter, then suck that acid back with the melted organic matter. However, few fungal species are able to break down soil pollutants such as insecticides, herbicides, heavy metals, creosote, coal tars, and hydrocarbon fuels but some fungi are able to break these down.

Without fungi nutrients would not be cycled through the ecosystem leading to a breakdown of the food chain

Fungi also connect many different plants and trees through their ‘roots’ in something called the “wood wide web”, in which plants and trees socialize and exchange/give nutrients.