A new article in Nature published online on June 23 2026 argues that environmental impact assessments routinely overlook fungi, despite their crucial ecological roles. The piece, titled “Do not leave fungi out of impact assessments,” highlights how fungi contribute to nutrient cycling, soil health, and plant resilience, and warns that neglecting them can lead to incomplete or misleading evaluations of human activities.
The authors point out that fungi form extensive mycorrhizal networks that link plant roots, facilitating water and nutrient uptake. They also decompose organic matter, releasing carbon and nutrients back into ecosystems. Because these functions are integral to ecosystem services, the authors contend that excluding fungi from environmental reviews can underestimate the true ecological costs or benefits of development projects.
The article calls for standard protocols that incorporate fungal biodiversity surveys, soil mycological sampling, and functional assessments into the early stages of impact studies. It cites examples where projects that ignored fungal dynamics later faced unforeseen ecological degradation, such as reduced plant growth or increased soil erosion.
Analysis:
The authors’ emphasis on fungi reflects a growing recognition in conservation biology that non‑plant, non‑animal organisms are essential to ecosystem integrity. By integrating fungal assessments, policymakers could better predict how projects will affect carbon sequestration, soil stability, and plant health. However, implementing such protocols would require additional expertise and resources, potentially increasing the cost and duration of impact studies. Balancing thoroughness with practicality will be a key challenge for regulators and developers alike.
Sources
Nature. “Do not leave fungi out of impact assessments.” Published online 23 June 2026. https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-026-01972-0
Source: Nature – Original article
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Story synopsis gathered from: Nature — source
