When did fungi begin to colonize land?

Fungi began to colonize land approximately 100 million years after the first land plants appeared. The earliest evidence suggests that land plants emerged around 470 million years ago during the Ordovician period, while fungi are believed to have started colonizing terrestrial environments around 400 million years ago in the Silurian period. This timing indicates that fungi developed a significant role in terrestrial ecosystems, including the formation of symbiotic relationships with plants, such as mycorrhizal associations, which are vital for nutrient uptake.

This understanding of the timeline between fungi and plants illustrates how ecosystems evolved over millions of years, contributing to the richness of biodiversity. It emphasizes the symbiotic relationships that developed during this period, which laid the groundwork for complex terrestrial life.