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Flora & Fauna
This is where it all starts, and where it will end.
DISCOVER
The Hidden World of Roots and Soil
The underground world of roots and soil is essential for the health of plants and fungi alike. Roots anchor plants, absorb water and nutrients, and, through partnerships with mycorrhizal fungi, form networks often called the "Wood Wide Web." This network allows plants and fungi to share resources like water, nitrogen, and phosphorus and communicate about threats such as pests or diseases, enhancing resilience. Soil itself is a thriving ecosystem filled with microorganisms and fungi that break down organic material, releasing essential nutrients back into the soil. This decomposition process supports a balanced ecosystem, creating a dynamic, living matrix that sustains both plant life above and fungal networks below, critical to overall ecosystem health.
Written by Gulce Tekin
LEARN
Adaptations of Plants in Extreme Environments
Both flora and funga have developed extraordinary adaptations to survive extreme environments. Desert flora, such as cacti, store water in thick, fleshy tissues and have waxy skins to reduce water loss, while desert fungi may lie dormant until rainfall, rapidly spreading their spores when moisture becomes available. Alpine flora, like low-growing cushion plants, use ground-level warmth to survive freezing temperatures, while cold-adapted fungi endure in thin soil layers, decomposing organic material to enrich the sparse alpine soil.
These adaptations in flora and funga underscore their resilience and specialized strategies for thriving in some of Earth’s most challenging habitats.
Photosynthesis and Its Role in Ecosystems
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants and certain types of fungi, like lichen-associated algae, convert sunlight into energy, releasing oxygen as a byproduct. This essential process supports life across ecosystems, as plants serve as primary producers, forming the base of most food chains. By converting carbon dioxide and sunlight into glucose, photosynthesis not only fuels plant growth but also generates oxygen, vital for most organisms. Understanding photosynthesis highlights why flora, along with photosynthetic organisms in lichen partnerships, are crucial to energy flow and ecological stability in every ecosystem.
LEARN
The Symbiosis Between Plants and Animals
Plants, fungi, and animals are interconnected through symbiotic relationships that sustain biodiversity. In pollination, insects, birds, and bats transfer pollen between flowers, enabling plants to reproduce. Seed dispersal partnerships extend this interdependence as birds, mammals, and even fungi help spread seeds by carrying them or creating conditions for growth, such as when truffles attract animals that disperse fungal spores. Mutual protection also occurs; certain plants provide food or shelter, attracting animals that, in turn, defend them from herbivores. These relationships illustrate the deep interdependence within ecosystems, where flora, funga, and fauna work together to maintain biodiversity and resilience.
PROTECT
The Importance of Native Plant Species
Native flora and funga are finely tuned to their local ecosystems, thriving in the climate and soil while providing essential resources to native wildlife. Native plants, for example, support local pollinators, prevent soil erosion, and conserve water with efficient root systems. Similarly, native fungi contribute by decomposing organic matter, enriching the soil, and forming beneficial relationships with plants to boost nutrient uptake. Introducing non-native species disrupts these delicate balances, as invasive plants or fungi can outcompete native species, alter soil chemistry, and impact local food webs. Conservationists emphasize planting native flora and preserving local funga to protect these interconnected ecosystems and maintain biodiversity.
PROTECT
Conserving Rainforests and Vital Ecosystems
Rainforests, wetlands, savannas, and mangroves are rich in flora and funga, both essential for sustaining biodiversity, regulating the climate, and supporting countless species, including humans. In rainforests, plants and fungi create resilient ecosystems; towering trees capture carbon dioxide, while fungi decompose organic material and cycle nutrients. Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake. Wetlands and mangroves also rely on complex flora-funga networks: wetland plants stabilize soil, fungi decompose organic matter, and mangrove trees protect coastlines and support marine life. However, deforestation, agriculture, mining, and urbanization threaten these ecosystems. Conservation efforts—protected areas, habitat restoration, and sustainable land management—are vital for preserving the flora-funga balance essential to these ecosystems. Protecting plant and fungal diversity mitigates climate change and secures resources for future generations.
