Imagine life on Earth without fungi. How would it be different? Your answer should provide examples of the important roles fungi play in biological diversity. Solution Fungi play an important role in the ecosystem . Largely fungi are saprophytes that act on dead and decaying things to derive nutrients.This in turn helps breakdown complex organic substances and giving back soil its nutrients. Fungi remains in a symbiotic state with algae to form lichen. Fungi provide water and nutrients to algae in lichen which in turns provides food to fungi by photosynthesis. Lichens can grow on barren rocks and finally leach the rocks to form soil. In a world without fungi decomposition of dead organic matter would take time. Due to lack of lichens soil formation process would be delayed..