The emergence of a new family of wireless biodegradable sensors marks a groundbreaking leap in ecological and environmental sensing. These biodegradable devices can collect a wide range of data in agriculture, climate research, forestry, water management, and biodiversity protection. Manufactured primarily from environmentally safe transient materials for sensing and data transmission, these systems undergo controlled degradation after use, minimizing environmental electronic waste. Here, a critical review of key aspects in the development and application of biodegradable sensors is performed for ecological and environmental monitoring. First, the different materials utilized in the development of biodegradable environmental monitoring devices and their applications are explored. The relevant degradation mechanisms, including hydrolysis, oxidation, photodegradation, and micro-organism action are examined as a function of environmental conditions. Then compatible and non-toxic fabrication techniques are investigated for building biodegradable sensors, emphasizing their scalability and potential for mass production. Finally, system-level considerations are discussed for sustainable powering of these devices, ensuring efficient operation while maintaining environmental sustainability. By surveying a broad spectrum of applications and ongoing advancements, it is argued that biodegradable sensors have a transformative potential in advancing sustainable, widespread, and cost-effective ecological and environmental monitoring solutions.

Signaling pathways in fungi offer a profound avenue for harnessing cellular communication and have garnered considerable interest in biomaterial engineering. Fungi respond to environmental stimuli through intricate signaling networks involving biochemical and electrical pathways, yet deciphering these mechanisms remains a challenge. In this review, an overview of fungal biology and their signaling pathways is provided, which can be activated in response to external stimuli and direct fungal growth and orientation. By examining the hyphal structure and the pathways involved in fungal signaling, the current state of recording fungal electrophysiological signals as well as the landscape of fungal biomaterials is explored. Innovative applications are highlighted, from sustainable materials to biomonitoring systems, and an outlook on the future of harnessing fungi signaling in living composites is provided.