ABSTRACT
Ecologically and economically, the Fungi kingdom is of immense value and necessary for sustainable life on planet earth. There are six kingdom classifications of life, with Fungi classified as a kingdom of their own. Members of Kingdom Fungi are one of the most diverse and numerous groups of living organisms, making it the second-largest group of organisms after insects. Technological advances in molecular research have enabled mycologists to discover and identify fungal taxa. It is estimated that as many as 1.5 million fungal species exist. Fungi are ubiquitous, undertaking many roles both independently and in association with other organisms. Recently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature has recognized that fungal conservation is just as important as animal and plant conservation, and has called on governments worldwide to pay much more attention to fungal conservation. Fungal conservation in Northern Africa has not flourished and does not flourish in the shadow of botany. This chapter describes the diversity and current status of fungal conservation in Northern Africa and Egypt as a case study, threats, future perspectives and the role of The Arab Society for Fungal Conservation in Egypt for mycology.
