Biodiversity of fungi and their problems today in the Catalan Countries and the world at large

In this paper the various groups of organisms that are traditionally included in the general concept of fungi are discussed and their currently known biodiversity in the Catalan Countries is assessed and analysed. Quantitative data from Catalonia, Andorra, the Valencian Country and the Balearic Islands are provided, and an analysis is made of the evolution of our knowledge of these organisms’ diversity in this region, as well as of the current hindrances to future progress in this area.