Don't forget fungi, gardeners told

17:30 20th September 2010

While fungi may not be as attractive as flowers or other plants, garden and greenhouse enthusiasts have been encouraged to make a stand on its behalf.

According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), a new body has been set up to fight for the protection of fungi.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's David Minter helped found the International Society for Fungal Conservation and explained that it is just as important to protect fungi as it is to look after flora and fauna.

"Fungi have no special features making them immune to destructive human activity," Dr Minter told the RHS.

"Habitat loss, climate change and pollution imperil fungi just as much as they do animals and plants."

Approximately 50 top international scientists have thrown their weight behind the cause, with support coming from South Africa, Russia and a number of other destinations.

In other news, the RHS recently revealed that the Russian government is considering bulldozing the world's oldest seed bank to create room for houses.