The world's first conservation centre dedicated to fungi has been launched in Dubai, to plug one of the biggest gaps in global biodiversity protection.
The Centre for Species Survival – Fungi, unveiled on Tuesday at Terra, Expo City Dubai, aims to boost international efforts to assess and protect fungi species, most of which remain undocumented despite their critical role in the ecosystem.
Fungi regulate greenhouse gases, support plant health, break down pollutants and offer potential breakthroughs in food, medicine and materials. They represent more than 90 per cent of the world's unidentified biodiversity, but are often overlooked in environmental frameworks and funding.
Established in partnership with the International Union for Conservation (IUCN), the centre will produce assessments for a global fungi-focused Red List.
“There are currently 1,300 fungi on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, so there is a lot to do to document and understand their threats to guide policy and action,” said Prof Jon Paul Rodríguez, chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. “As a group, the number of species that they encompass is mind-boggling, certainly reaching into the millions.”
Tracking local and global fungi
The Dubai IUCN Species Centre – the first in the Middle East – will initially focus on fungi native to the region before expanding its scope globally. It will be staffed by local experts in collaboration with IUCN's Fungi Conservation Committee and a global network of more than 11,000 scientists.
“It is imperative that we leave no stone unturned as we tackle the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss,” said Marjan Faraidooni, head of education and culture at Expo City Dubai.
“Out of the potential two to three million species of fungi that are out there, we haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg. We probably have an understanding and definition for 160,000, if we're lucky.”
Scientists estimate there could be around 10,000 fungal species beneath the Middle East's deserts and coastal areas, yet fewer than one per cent have been studied or assessed.
Ms Faraidooni told The National that there will be a heavy emphasis on public engagement, with the possibility of a global annual fungi conference led by the centre.
“Part of our mission is to create different types of programmes that are not only centred on exhibitions, but also education, engagement and participating in global events where [they focus] on biodiversity.” said Ms Faraidooni.
Prof Rodríguez told The National that a key mission would be to help the public understand how to identify species of mushrooms. “One great thing that that Expo City Dubai and the centre could do is create a guide for fungal citizen science, because there are particular traits that help with fungi identification.”
The UAE will host the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in October, where the Centre for Species Survival is expected to feature as an example of regional leadership in nature-based solutions.
