Fungi play a fundamental role in sustaining life on Earth. Fungi are important, not only in their own right as a large component of biodiversity (an estimated 2.5 million species), but also because of its connections and support of other organisms along with the many ecosystem services they provide.

Australia is estimated to have between 50,000 to 250,000 species of fungi yet only just over 11,000 have been identified.

The importance of fungi in the whole ecosystem demands that it be recognised separately to flora and fauna.

Thirty-six Australian fungi species are listed under the global IUCN Red List, including one Critically Endangered and four Endangered species, most of which occur in temperate forests. No fungi are currently listed under the EPBC Act, and only a few are listed under state or territory legislation.

We are calling on all candidates to Focus on Fungi and, if elected, make a commitment to:

• recognising the role played by fungi in the environment – separate from but just as important as plants and animals
• protecting rare and threatened fungi under the EPBC Act (none so far)
• promoting mycology research and discovering more what should be conserved
• including fungi in state and national State of the Environment reporting
• signing onto the international Fungal Conservation Pledge
• including fungi in school curricula and at higher education

We are sending out a survey to all candidates with a simple YES/NO answer for their commitment.

We will let you know who responds and how before the federal election on the 3rd May 2025.

If you want to help please contact your local candidates and members asking for their support for a Focus on Fungi.

You can support Fungimap directly by becoming a member, buying a book or by donation.