Soil fungi are an active partner of our ecosystem. Their biodiversity and activities should be appreciated

Abstract

Papers presented at The gulf symposium on Environmental biology, University of Qatar, 7-9 May 1994 *********** Soil fungi play an active role in the maintenance and functioning of ecosystems around man. This paper is an appreciation of their biodiversity and activities at the global and Arab world levels. Microorganisms merit more respect from "macroorganism" conservationists and ecologists. It is myopic to consider the maintenance of birds, mammals, fish, trees or flowers in natural ecosystems, without according due attention to the functioning of their life-support systems. [1]. My lecture objective is an appreciation and stimulation of more awareness of the biodiversity and the active role played by soil fungi, for the maintenance and functioning of ecosystems around man which certainly affect, directly or indirectly, man's welfare.