Mushrooms play a vital role in nature. They act as decomposers, nutrient recyclers, scavengers, mutualists, pathogens, and key indicators of how ecosystems are faring. A study exploring how fungi distribute across space sheds light on their ecological importance and their impact on farming and human health.
Without fungi, life on Earth would look very different. For this reason, some scientists argue that fungi should be part of global conservation goals and that more species deserve a place on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
It is estimated that there are between 3 and 13 million fungal species on the planet, most of them microscopic. More than 100,000 have been described so far, including about 10,000 in Spain. Fungi thrive in a wide range of environments from soil and leaf tissue to tropical forests and ocean floors.
While mushrooms are often linked to decay, many fungi form beneficial relationships with plants and other organisms. Like bacteria, insects, and worms, they recycle nutrients in nature and release substances essential for other life forms.
especially important is the symbiotic bond with plants. The fungi provide carbohydrates, while plants supply water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other minerals—creating a partnership that supports both organisms. This relationship is widespread: roughly 90 percent of land plants form associations with fungi in their roots.
Manufacturers of antibiotics, hormones and vitamins
Fungi also produce antibiotics, hormones, and vitamins that benefit plants and humans. They help promote growth and protect roots against external pathogens, reduce toxin effects such as heavy metals, and improve soil structure.
Mushrooms serve as a food source for many animals and people, delivering carbohydrates and minerals. Although many species are edible, some are poisonous and should be approached with caution. Fungi also play a crucial role in industry, including medicine production and the manufacturing of cheese, bread, wine, and beer.
On the downside, some fungi cause food spoilage, environmental pollution, and damage to materials like wood, fabric, and paint. They can also cause diseases in plants and animals, including humans, and globally they contribute to a significant number of health issues.
However, large gaps remain in our understanding of how fungi spread across local to global scales and why they behave the way they do. A recent study by Dartmouth College mycologist Bala Chaudhary reviewed thousands of articles to summarize how fungi move and what that means for ecosystems and humanity.
The review examined around 4,500 articles from about 1,200 sources published between 1951 and 2021 and explored how mushrooms have their own movement patterns. This helps broaden understanding of dispersal ecology and ecosystem functioning.
Predict human diseases
Advances in studying fungal spread are expected to improve insights into biogeography and the cohesion of fungal communities. This work informs global food security and human health.
The information gathered can be used, for example, to predict the incidence of human disease or crop epidemics. Studying how fungi are distributed is key to understanding fungal biodiversity and where species live on Earth, a conclusion supported by Bala Chaudhary.
Authors identified four scales of mushroom movement. On a small scale, fungi move through soil with the help of microscopic filaments. They can also be carried by invertebrates. On larger scales, fungi disperse via birds and mammals, finally aided by water and wind for the broadest spread.
Climate change is expected to shift fungal distributions, and human land use also plays a role. As Chaudhary notes, anthropogenic land use and climate change can alter how fungi move, with the strength of different vectors varying by scale and limited data to fully map these relationships.
Some mushrooms are described as biological tools. Some species can break down plastics, while others absorb radiation and convert it into energy for growth. These applications are being explored and refined.
A reference report highlights ongoing research and findings in fungal dispersal and ecology. This work emphasizes the value of cross-scale understanding for predicting ecological outcomes and health implications.
This field continues to grow as scholars compile evidence from multiple studies and frame new questions about how fungi influence ecosystems and human well-being.