chloepqualls
The Power of Fungi
This photo was taken on the University of Maryland campus when I was mid-run and saw this mushroom at the base of a tree. Upon later inspection I concluded that it is likely a type of puffball mushroom, who has a round top and is about the size of a softball. There are different species of puffball: assuming this one is not of the giant variety, and noticing it's yellow color in its mature state, my best guess is that it's an edible puffball -- Lycoperdon perlatum. However, there are two fungus varieties that are often mistaken for puffballs , Scleroderma and Amanitas, which are both fatal when consumed (Deane).
Fungi are important to maintaining ecosystem functions through a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with trees. Ectomycorrhizal fungi, which are a root fungi, provide water and nutrients to trees as they decompose organic matter, by using their root system to funnel it to the roots. In return, trees share their photosynthetic products with the fungi through the same root system. Fungus is an integral part of forest ecosystems, which is why they relate to SDG #15: Life on Land. The goal of this SDG is to stop deforestation and biodiversity loss, which will help the many people that rely on forests for their livelihood, and help combat climate change and other environmental issues. By supporting trees with nutrients, ectomycorrhizal fungi helps sequestration of CO2, and can also slow the decomposition process, which returns CO2 to the atmosphere (Averill and Bhatnagar). In addition, fungi are part of many mutualistic relationships with insects and animals, and aid in good soil health, both of which support biodiversity in forest ecosystems.
Unfortunately, deforestation and nitrogen pollution is causing the loss of important fungal species. When fossil fuels emit CO2, they also emit nitrous oxide gas, which dissolves in water, and eventually enters forests as rain. Nitrogen fertilizer is also a source of nitrogen pollution. Nitrogen pollution causes loss of ectomycorrhizal fungi, and areas exposed to high levels of nitrogen pollution support less mutualistic relationships between trees and fungi (Averill and Bhatnagar).
Sustainable Development Goal #15 can be accomplished with combined effort to stop deforestation and reduce fossil fuel emissions. Although this mushroom was not found in a forest, it still serves the same important role. Having natural spaces in civilized areas is important to biodiversity, climate change, and human health. Fungi can still perform the same function on a smaller scale, and based on the location of this mushroom, it is supporting the life of a tree on campus.
Sources:
Averill, C., & Bhatnagar, J. (2018, August 3). Four Things to Know About Fungi "Climate Warriors." The Brink: Pioneering Research from Boston University. www.bu.edu/articles/2018/4-things-to-know-about-fungi-cli....
Deane. Puffballs, Small and Gigantic. Eat the Weeds and other things, too. www.eattheweeds.com/lycoperdon-perlatum-edible-puffballs-2/
The Power of Fungi
This photo was taken on the University of Maryland campus when I was mid-run and saw this mushroom at the base of a tree. Upon later inspection I concluded that it is likely a type of puffball mushroom, who has a round top and is about the size of a softball. There are different species of puffball: assuming this one is not of the giant variety, and noticing it's yellow color in its mature state, my best guess is that it's an edible puffball -- Lycoperdon perlatum. However, there are two fungus varieties that are often mistaken for puffballs , Scleroderma and Amanitas, which are both fatal when consumed (Deane).
Fungi are important to maintaining ecosystem functions through a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with trees. Ectomycorrhizal fungi, which are a root fungi, provide water and nutrients to trees as they decompose organic matter, by using their root system to funnel it to the roots. In return, trees share their photosynthetic products with the fungi through the same root system. Fungus is an integral part of forest ecosystems, which is why they relate to SDG #15: Life on Land. The goal of this SDG is to stop deforestation and biodiversity loss, which will help the many people that rely on forests for their livelihood, and help combat climate change and other environmental issues. By supporting trees with nutrients, ectomycorrhizal fungi helps sequestration of CO2, and can also slow the decomposition process, which returns CO2 to the atmosphere (Averill and Bhatnagar). In addition, fungi are part of many mutualistic relationships with insects and animals, and aid in good soil health, both of which support biodiversity in forest ecosystems.
Unfortunately, deforestation and nitrogen pollution is causing the loss of important fungal species. When fossil fuels emit CO2, they also emit nitrous oxide gas, which dissolves in water, and eventually enters forests as rain. Nitrogen fertilizer is also a source of nitrogen pollution. Nitrogen pollution causes loss of ectomycorrhizal fungi, and areas exposed to high levels of nitrogen pollution support less mutualistic relationships between trees and fungi (Averill and Bhatnagar).
Sustainable Development Goal #15 can be accomplished with combined effort to stop deforestation and reduce fossil fuel emissions. Although this mushroom was not found in a forest, it still serves the same important role. Having natural spaces in civilized areas is important to biodiversity, climate change, and human health. Fungi can still perform the same function on a smaller scale, and based on the location of this mushroom, it is supporting the life of a tree on campus.
Sources:
Averill, C., & Bhatnagar, J. (2018, August 3). Four Things to Know About Fungi "Climate Warriors." The Brink: Pioneering Research from Boston University. www.bu.edu/articles/2018/4-things-to-know-about-fungi-cli....
Deane. Puffballs, Small and Gigantic. Eat the Weeds and other things, too. www.eattheweeds.com/lycoperdon-perlatum-edible-puffballs-2/