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The word "fungus" may inspire visions of an unwanted growth under your nail or maybe even of a pizza topping before thoughts of a thriving ecosystem.

But fungi are a remarkably diverse group of organisms with more than 100,000 identified species and scientists estimate there could be millions in total. Many of these species play a critical role in the environments in which they live.

Mia Maltz, assistant professor of mycology and soil health in the College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources' Department of Plant Science and Landscape Architecture, has dedicated her career to studying how fungi contribute to ecosystem health and restoration.

For example, in drylands, fungi help connect the aboveground landscape with water sources through their root-like mycelium. Fungi also help prevent erosion, detoxify environments, support native plant biodiversity, and sequester carbon.

"It really depends on what your intended outcome is," Maltz says. "There may be a way to consider fungi as a means to achieve that successful restoration outcome."

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