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52 Positive interactions and insights
The history of the cultivation of fungi for food and
medicines in China can be traced back to the Tang
Dynasty (600–900 ce) [11] . Today, there are 1,789 edible
and 798 medicinal fungi reported from China, with 561
being both edible and medicinal [6] . Over 100 species of
fungi have been domesticated for cultivation and around
60% of them are commercially produced [11] . In particular,
one of the most sought-after delicacies and the most difficult
to cultivate, Morchella importuna (a black morel), has been
successfully cultivated [12] and commercialised in recent years.
Mushroom cultivation plays a very important role in
ecology and social development in China. It is not only
important for food and nutrition, but also provides jobs and
generates incomes for local communities. In rural areas,
edible and medicinal fungi are grown in the traditional
manner to help alleviate poverty [13] . However, this sector has
attracted huge capital investment and this has accelerated
its growth onto an industrial scale. More and more species
are being grown in large environmental control compartments
for quick, high yields and high-quality production. These
include button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), velvet shank
(Flammulina velutipes), king oyster (Pleurotus eryginii) and
shiitake (Lentinula edodes) among others [14] .
ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE OF LICHENS IN
COMBATTING DESERTIFICATION IN CHINA
With up to 58% of the land area being classified as arid
or semi-arid, nearly one-third of the land in China suffers
from the effects of desertification; increased sand and dust
storms are a consequence of this and also a cause of further
desertification [15] . A large amount of research effort has gone
into studying ways to combat this process, and traditional
afforestation through planting trees and shrubs has proved to
be ineffective in desert areas with annual precipitation of