Are Mushrooms Decomposers?

Are mushrooms decomposers?

Simple answer is yes, mushrooms are decomposers. Besides their end of life bodies, every part of the mushroom lifecycle revolves around taking in and surviving off of its surroundings. Mushrooms are the ones keeping the planet clean and controlling animal populations by uptaking plant life, wild life and even man made messes including oils and plastics.

Entomopathogenic

Have you ever heard of the word entomopathogenic? It’s a word used to describe fungi that consume insects. Did you know there are cordyceps mushrooms that keep forest insect populations in check by producing spores that turn insects into zombies, then compel said zombified insects to climb as high as possible only to die and produce more mushrooms, that will release more spores to rain down and literally eliminate entire insect colonies? Yep, but that’s not the only way mushrooms decompose.

Mycoremediation

Have you ever heard of the word mycoremediation? That’s when fungi-based remediation methods are used to decontaminate the environment. Did you know there are oyster mushrooms that can reliably decompose everything from petroleum to plastics to even TNT? There’s evidence that mushrooms remediate within the body when consumed as well, assisting with metabolism, immunity, anti oxidants inflammation, tumors and even HIV.

Xylophagy

Another word to consider is Xylophagy. This is a word used to describe herbivorous organisms that survive mainly off of wood. Lions mane, a mushroom rockstar, is probably the most famous example of a fungus that consumes rotting wood. Without this guy serving as forest cleanup patrol the entire homeostasis could get thrown off. Wine caps are another great example of xylopagic mushroom.

Some would argue fungi’s sole purpose on earth is to thrive and regenerate life, land and purity mainly through decomposition. It’s also interesting the largest living being on earth is a fungus, meaning there’s plenty of cleanup that’s already been done but still so much more work left to do. Just know, whenever you see a mushroom just sitting there, chances are it’s probably hard at work.