Apr 22, 2025
Our beloved mushrooms are so much more than just forest decorations, motifs in Gothic literature, or images we associate with Hozier's debut album.
Fungi act as "carbon conduits" and enable over 90% of plants to sustain themselves. In "The Fungi in the Carbon Jigsaw" from JSTOR Daily, ecologist and photographer Timo Mendez reveals how fungi helped early plants colonize land, and how their hidden carbon-trading systems today might be the key to fighting climate change.
And he took these beautiful photos to boot! Read the article and view some more photos on JSTOR Daily.
Photos: Amanita muscaria, russula, and ectomycorrhizal fungi. All taken by Timo Mendez.
