Fungi (including lichens)

Neither plants nor animals, fungi are an enormous group of extraordinary organisms that belong in their own distinct kingdom. Instead of photosynthesis (as in plants) or digestion (as in animals), fungi obtain nutrients through the absorption of decaying organic matter. In many larger fungi, the only visible parts are the fruiting bodies (the more familiar mushroom or toadstool), which arise from an unseen network of microscopic threads. Fungi perform an important ecological role and therefore their conservation is vital for the health of the world’s ecosystems.

Explore ARKive for videos and images of endangered fungi, and learn about fungi conservation, biology and more in our species fact-files.