The fungal biodiversity agenda 2013: the imperatives

This paper is an expression of our concern about protecting and conserving our fungal resources, and learning more about the biology and life-style of fungi and harnessing the knowledge gained to the good of plants, animals and man, in our effort to contribute to sustainability. Lacking chlorophyll, fungi have spread everywhere by their chemistry, impinging on all human activity, and the activity of biota in the biosphere. We are aware of their contribution to agriculture, forestry, public health and medicine, biotechnology and industry, and sustainability which is so crucial for survival. Fungi do immense good, but can do incalculable harm. There are no accurate estimates of the total number of fungal species on a global or regional basis. The distinguished tropical botanist, E J H Corner said that ‘there are as many species of fungus as there are species of flowering plant, if not of all seed plants, multiplied by the number of their parts. ’Further, he explained: ‘The variety of fungi is a measure of the chemical differences in plant tissues. ’While many biotrophs and parasites are host-specific, there are many that are not, and can attack many host species/genera. There are also countless substrates that are colonized by a diversity of species and genera in a succession that is characteristic for a given substrate in a given habitat. If we now take into consideration just the many species of flowering plants, and the many species of insects, which serve as hosts or substrates, we can only view with awe the number of fungal species in relation to the number of species of flowering plants or insects. We arrive at a staggering number and realize how little we know about them. We must know what they do in their habitats, and must ponder the implications of their presence and their activity. Every fungus has an individuality and yet the importance lies not merely in their individuality, but in their togetherness and their collectivity. Nothing exists by itself. Coexistence and mutualism are the essence of life. They are also the essence of biodiversity.

In dealing with the Agenda, I shall first highlight the relevance of fungi in our lives, and then deal with the points and issues on our Fungal Biodiversity Agenda: designation of biodiversity-rich areas, exploration and inventorying, documentation, establishment of mycogenome banks and a centre for fungal taxonomy and biology, besides conservation of our fungal resources.