The secret world of fungi revealed

A light has been shone on the world of fungi through a global study that reveals the staggering and previously unknown diversity of species.  The work shows that fungi diversity is not linked to plant diversity as previously thought. Instead distance from the equator is the key determinant, along with annual rainfall and soil characteristics such as pH and calcium concentration.  The study also reveals the diversity of fungal species does not decline with latitude as sharply as plant species diversity does.