title: A fungal perspective on conservation biology.
abstract: Hitherto fungi have rarely been considered in conservation biology, but this is changing as the field moves from addressing single species issues to an integrative ecosystem-based approach. The current emphasis on biodiversity as a provider of ecosystem services throws the spotlight on the vast diversity of fungi, their crucial roles in terrestrial ecosystems, and the benefits of considering fungi in concert with animals and plants. We reviewed the role of fungi in ecosystems and composed an overview of the current state of conservation of fungi. There are 5 areas in which fungi can be readily integrated into conservation: as providers of habitats and processes important for other organisms; as indicators of desired or undesired trends in ecosystem functioning; as indicators of habitats of conservation value; as providers of powerful links between human societies and the natural world because of their value as food, medicine, and biotechnological tools; and as sources of novel tools and approaches for conservation of megadiverse organism groups. We hope conservation professionals will value the potential of fungi, engage mycologists in their work, and appreciate the crucial role of fungi in nature.
authors.affiliation: Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate, Natural History Museum of Denmark, University of Copenhagen, Denmark; Swedish Species Information Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 7007, S-750 07, Uppsala, Sweden; Department of Biosciences, P.O. Box 65, FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Jacob
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Heilmann-Clausen
authors.forename: Elizabeth S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Barron
authors.forename: Lynne
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Boddy
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dahlberg
authors.forename: Gareth W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Jenni
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nordén
authors.forename: Otso
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ovaskainen
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Perini
authors.forename: Beatrice
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Senn-Irlet
authors.forename: Panu
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Halme
mesh_terms: D044822:Biodiversity; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D005658:Fungi / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: decomposers; descomponedores; ecología de bosques; ecosystem services; especies indicadoras; forest ecology; hongos micorrízicos; indicator species; lichens; líquenes; mycorrhizal fungi; non-timber forest products; pathogens; patógenos; productos no-maderos de los bosques; servicios ambientales