Mushrooms and Company : How a Marvelously Moldy Network Supports Life on Earth – 9781778402227

Perfect for young environmentalists and nature enthusiasts comes an information-packed introduction to the fascinating world of mushrooms, molds, and more!In Mushrooms and Company readers dive deep into the fungal kingdom and are introduced to an incredible array of mushrooms, molds, mildews, yeasts, and rusts. Explore the fascinating mycorrhizal network that lives and operates under our feet, in sometimes surprising ways. Without fungi, there would be no penicillin, no bread (at least the kinds that depend on yeast to rise), and no blue cheese! Of course, some fungi can be dangerous—whether it’s molds that grow on crops (like potato blight) or in buildings (like dry rot)—in Mushrooms and Company, you’ll meet them all!Biologist and writer Geert-Jan Roebers takes readers on an engaging journey into the fascinating world of fungi, exploring topics such as:How fungi contribute to keeping forests clean and healthy. How trees and plants rely on fungi to access the water and nutrients essential for their survival. How fungi assist certain animals in digesting their food. How fungi benefit humans by providing medicines and food. Playful and packed with science, Mushrooms and Company is a welcome addition to any nature lover’s bookshelf.