There are a countless types of organisms and living things on planet Earth. Among these there are ‘the mold’which has been shown by several studies to be essential for maintaining the life cycle within ecosystems and their development. However, in our environment there is still no significant visibility of its value and contribution to the world nature and for our human existence.
According to the history of biological studieslife on planet Earth is classified according to the groups of living things that compose it. Thus, thanks to the branch of biology, a division of five kingdoms of living things has been made. Among these we find: animal, plant, protist, monera and fungi.
These kingdoms of life in nature also exhibit a wide variety of species and subspecies that compose them. According to this classificationloose Fungi can be found in the Kingdom Fungi.
What are the features of the Fungi Kingdom?
The word fungi comes from Latin moldwhich is literally defined as mold. This kingdom includes eukaryotic organisms such as fungi, yeasts and organisms that produce mushrooms.
For the survival of their kingdom, these organisms have the ingestion of organic carbon sources found in plant or animal material. Loose mold They are classified as heterotrophic species and for this reason they are not considered part of the plant kingdom. Despite the fact that they were initially considered plants after their discovery.
This was determined in the 19th century moldas we know them today must have been part of a separate kingdom. For this reason, and after conducting multiple biological studies, numerous species belonging to the Fungi Kingdom were found. So right now There is a branch of study called mycology.
Why is the existence of ‘mushrooms’ important on planet Earth?
For those who were not aware of the importance of the existence of fungi on our planet, today we will talk about the relevant role of the Fungi Kingdom. We will also explain some of them essential characteristics that they contribute to nature.
By having a great diversity of species, Fungi can grow in a variety of natural environments.. Growth starts from a natural basis, in this case from the earth. Therefore, they form the basis that makes the maintenance of other ecosystems possible.
Main features
Among the main features of fungi that are noteworthy are:
Decomposition of organic material
One of its most important features is its function abort the organic material and converts it into nutrients for other organisms. This decomposing function allows the necessary reduction of organic matter. Without the help of decomposition, the soil would therefore have an excess of dead organic matter.
This way, this main function let us understand that it is a valuable process maintain one biological balance and improve soil quality support plant life.
Formation of symbiotic relationships
In addition to their role in the dissolution, Fungi also form symbiotic relationships with plants and animals.. An example of this relationship can be found in the existence of fungi in the roots of plants, which allow vegetation species to achieve better absorption of water, accompanied by minerals that influence their growth and exchange substrates thanks to the process of photosynthesis.
In your case symbiotic relationship with animalsThis happens when there is no longer any life in your body. That is, in simple terms, when the creature has died. Here, the fungi also decompose the body until it is reducedthus accelerating the disappearance and reducing the risks of environmental contamination and possible diseases.
Protectors against pests in vegetation
In the Fungi Kingdom we can find a diversity of species with common functions and others with different qualities. For example in the We encounter pathogenic fungi in agriculturewhose function is to act as biological control agents to protect against pests. This contribution would make it possible Agricultural producers are reducing the use of chemical pesticideswhich is a positive outcome for both consumers and farmers.
They are beneficial for human consumption
Another feature of the moldis the contribution and benefit to humans. So they are also considered food. According to experts, mushrooms have important nutritional properties and Its consumption involves the contribution of several essential nutrients.
Some varieties, such as truffles, are considered a source of vegetable protein, which is indeed the case vitamins D and B, amino acids that function as an energy source, fiber that promote digestion and absorption and essential minerals such as potassium, phosphorus, calcium and iron, among others.
Spain and mushroom production: Bolet Ben Fet
According to information collected by the Diario HOY of Spain, in the month of July 2023, the ten best sustainable producers in the country. Among these was called Las setas ‘liver of the forest’ by Bolet Ben Fet, whose author is Carles Díaz, producer of edible mushrooms and cultivation of mold. His dish was one of the winners of the awards organized by BBVA, the participation of the Ecology and Development Foundation (ECODES) and El Celler de Can Roca.
Notable is an interview conducted by Josefina Llargués, a Spanish journalist, who personally visited the Bolet Ben Fet facilities to gather more detailed information about the creator of this delicacy. His name is Carles Díaz, a Spanish biologist, who through multiple studies and research comments on one of his hobbies he always found in agriculture. The species that started it was the Shiitake Mushroom.
In addition to his love for agriculture, he studied biology and started looking for alternatives to put both disciplines into practice. For this reason he started cultivating it moldsince it too It represented an idea in favor of caring for the environment and with which he could succeed in integrating into other environments, such as healthy gastronomy.
His foray into the world of mold has enabled him to find a different path building a more sustainable environment that is an alternative maintaining the balance in the development of nature for its use and maintenance, but this also includes human health.
Currently, other researchers from different parts of the world are as well found by analyzing types of mushrooms that may have healing valuewhich in turn can be integrated into the pharmaceutical industry, which has benefits on a global level. Likewise, they have developed studies on the types of fungi that would be harmful to human health and to the ecosystems of plant and animal life.
The Awareness about fungal life on Earth is very importantbecause it plays a very important role in maintaining the ecosystem. Its ecological role is fundamental to achieving environmental practices. sustainability with nature. Its protection is essential and the ability to maintain vegetation allows the continuity of the ecological cycle.