Fungi vital to life face growing risk of extinction, study shows

Global Red List: Tens of thousands of species face extinction threat

Frankincense trees in Yemen are among plants that could be lost

Mushrooms are the secret heroes of life on Earth: they do not belong to the animal kingdom or to that of plants, and it is estimated that there are more than 2.5 million different varieties. Yet, their own survival is now threatened. Of the 1,300 species included in the red list of endangered species established by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, 411 mushrooms are threatened with extinction.

At least 411 fungi are now at risk of extinction in the world out of the 1,300 species whose conservation status is well documented, this illustrates the threats that human activity poses to this kingdom, neither animal nor plant.

Fungi vital to life face growing risk of extinction, study shows

GENEVA : Nearly a third of species of fungi assessed by an international conservation group are at risk of extinction from threats like deforestation and agricultural expansion, the latest 'Red List' of threatened species showed on Thursday.Fungi - which comprise a scientific "kingdom" second only in size

On Thursday 27 March, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature updated its red list of endangered species, including mushrooms, "unknown heroes of life on Earth".

Mushrooms are receiving greater attention when the International Union for Conservation of Nature updates its Red List.