Portugal pledges first Red List of fungi by 2030

Portugal's revised National Strategy for Nature Conservation and Biodiversity 2030, approved on 17 June, commits the country to producing its first national inventory and Red List of fungi by 2030, following IUCN criteria. The work, led by the ICNF with EU and national funding, will prioritise species with critical ecological roles and economic value to local communities. Portugal currently lacks such an assessment despite fungi's key role in soil fertility, plant nutrition and carbon capture. The strategy also formally recognises citizen science, pledging a National Citizen Science Platform by 2028 to help monitor biodiversity nationwide.