'Without them there is no life': the race to understand the mysterious world of Africa's fungi

Amid growing evidence of fungi's key role in ecosystems and storing carbon, African scientists are championing the need to preserve 'funga' as much as flora and faunaMadagascar has long been celebrated for its remarkable wildlife, with the vast majority of its species - from ring-tailed lemurs to certain species of baobab trees - found nowhere else on the planet. But when discussing the island nation's endemic treasures, fungi are often left out of the conversation.Yet "fungi are some of the most important things in the world", says Anna Ralaiveloarisoa, a Malagasy scientist. "They feed 90% of terrestrial plants. Without them, there is no life on the Earth." Continue reading...