Abstract

Fungi perform a wide array of functions in ecosystems, contributing to ecosystems structure, maintenance, stability, as well as human well-being. Some of their services are also disservices from human point of view, such as disease or carbon release from ecosystems. Slightly exaggerating one could say that we breathe fungi, eat fungi, wear fungi and live in fungi. But, to which degree do we understand the availability of fungi and their capacity to perform their functions in ecosystems?

I will present recent advances in understanding fungal distribution, mostly, but not solely focusing on soils and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. I’ll zoom into human impact on fungal availability and function, as well as on how reversing fungal availability can speed up ecosystem recovery after disturbance.

I will conclude with speculations on how to better embrace the fungal potential for sustaining nature as well as humans.

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