Fungal biodiversity in Ethiopia: Distribution, Threats and prospects

Abstract

Fungi are an integral part of the natural world, playing important roles in ecological processes and having considerable potential for use in diverse industries. Despite the rich fungal diversity in Ethiopia, limited information exists regarding their distribution, threats, and conservation efforts. Even, fungi are not included in the biodiversity database of the country. This chapter provides a synthesis of information gathered from different sources to understand fungal biodiversity, focusing on the distributions, threats to and conservation of fungal species across various land uses and sites in Ethiopia. The fungal biodiversity in the country is extensive, encompassing a wide range of fungal species. However, fungi in Ethiopia are threatened by multiple factors, including land use/land cover changes, deforestation, habitat degradation, the expansion of invasive plant species, and climate change. This leads to effective conservation and management of biodiversity to ensure their sustainable use, thus enhancing the resilience and productivity of habitats, different ecosystems, and mycological resources. To this end, this chapter will contribute to the existing body of knowledge and help in the formulation of strategies for sustainable management of fungal biodiversity.