Research Open Access 29 Nov Scientific Reports Volume: 13, P: Associations of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis with skin bacteria and fungi on Asian amphibian hosts Dan Sun Jayampathi Herath Madhava Meegaskumbura. Research Open Access 22 Nov ISME Communications Volume: 3, P: The succession of epiphytic microalgae conditions fungal community composition: how chytrids respond to blooms of dinoflagellates Alan Denis Fernández-Valero Albert Reñé Esther Garcés.

Research Open Access 26 Sept ISME Communications Volume: 3, P: Chemical composition and antioxidant activity of some Syrian wild mushroom Agaricus spp strains Boushra Hola Ramzi Murshed Mouwafak Jbour. Research Open Access 23 Sept Scientific Reports Volume: 13, P: Production of oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus from some waste lignocellulosic materials and FTIR characterization of structural changes Caglar Akcay Faik Ceylan Recai Arslan.

Research Open Access 09 Aug Scientific Reports Volume: 13, P: Guest edited collection: fungal evolution and diversity There are 5 million fungal species. Editorial Open Access 05 Dec Scientific Reports Volume: 13, P: Bark beetles sniff out their fungal symbionts on trees This new study reports that a fungal ectosymbiont metabolizes resin monoterpenes of the host tree and that the volatile products possibly function as cues for beetles to locate breeding sites with beneficial fungal symbionts.

Research Highlights 14 Mar Nature Reviews Microbiology Volume: 21, P: For the birds Chris Surridge. Co-existence of AMF with different putative MAT-alleles induces genes homologous to those involved in mating in other fungi: a reply to Malar et al.

Ivan D. Mateus Soon-Jae Lee Ian R. Mites reduce microbial N 2 O emissions This study reveals that mites reduce emission of nitrous oxide N 2 O from soil by feeding on N 2 O-producing fungi, so modulating mite abundance might represent a way to mitigate anthropogenic N 2 O emissions in agriculture.

Research Highlights 19 Mar Nature Reviews Microbiology Volume: 19, P: Disturbing the plant pathogens A recent study suggests that anthropogenic disturbance of grasslands changes the sensitivity of plant pathogens to climate change.

Research Highlights 29 Sept Nature Reviews Microbiology Volume: 18, P: Fungi are often associated with death and decay, such as mold in a refrigerator, or mushrooms that decompose leaves on the forest floor.

Fungi can also be human pathogens. Coccidiodes is another soil-borne fungus that releases spores into the air as a result of land disturbance and soil degradation. When the spores of this fungus are inhaled, Coccidiodes can cause Valley fever, also known as coccidioidomycosis, a serious respiratory disease.

A better understanding of fungal dispersal informs the intersecting disciplines of soil ecology, climate justice, and environmental health.

Most of the articles pertained to fungal dispersal research in the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The researchers found that scientific literature on fungal dispersal has focused on three topical areas: fungal disease, including climate change, which was the most prominent theme represented; fungal diversity, communities, and mycorrhizal fungi, including soils and forests; and the evolution of fungi, including molecular methods.

As part of their analysis, the researchers pose theoretical relationships between the relative importance of vectors of dispersal and spatial scale. They identified four scales of fungal movement from microscopic to landscape scales.

Tiny root-like structures of fungi at the mycelial level move through the soil on the smallest scale. Abiotic vectors, such as water and wind, are responsible for fungal movement at the largest scale across the landscape and continents. Rivers transport sediment containing fungi propagules across continents, ocean currents and tides, and precipitation, as well as humans, all play a role in the global transit of fungi.

Carlos Aguilar-Trigueros and India Mansour at the Institute of Biology at Freie Universität Berlin also contributed to the study. Amy Olson can be reached at amy. olson dartmouth.

Shiitake, for example, present antiviral properties and can reduce serum cholesterol. Other species are known to possess a number of other benefits such as inhibit tumor and the development of AIDS, anti-oxidative property and antidiabetic effect.

Fungi have been found to help degrade various pollutants from the environment, such as plastic and other petroleum-based products , pharmaceuticals and personal care products , and oil.

Some of these substances are persistent toxins, which mean that they take a long time to break down in the environment and accumulate in humans and other species, presenting adverse effects on organisms.

Therefore, fungi can act as a powerful tool to reduce environmental pollution. In addition, studies show that some fungi species can help in ecosystem restoration by advancing reforestation in degraded soils and act as pest control seeing that some species are pathogens of arthropods or nematodes.

Mycelium, which is the root structure of mushrooms are now being used to replace unsustainable materials, such as plastic, synthetic and animal-based products.

The products from Mycelium are biodegradable and require less water and land resources to be produced. Some of the mycelium-based products already in the market include packaging, clothes, shoes, sustainable leather, skincare products and others. Numerous factors can jeopardize soil fungi diversity and functioning, including deforestation, land conversion to agriculture, soil degradation and salinization.

Therefore, sustainable soil management and ecosystem conservation is essential in preserving fungi diversity and enhancing the benefits of its ecosystem services for human and nature. This article was originally published here.

Ecosystem Restoration What is Ecosystem Restoration? Explore Scientific Launch Report Types of Ecosystem Restoration About the UN Decade Background Strategy World Restoration Flagships Generation Restoration Cities Documentary Series Frequently Asked Questions Partners Our Partners Advisory Board Task Forces Restoration Implementers Latest Events News Newsletters Podcast Get Involved Nominate World Restoration Flagship Learn to restore Play a game, score for nature Take Action for Lakes Resources Communication Materials Publications Videos.

Image by: Chloride free. Benefits of fungi Fungi are an important part of soil biodiversity , and this diverse group of organisms can help tackle global challenges, including climate change and hunger. Nutrient Cycling Fungi have the ability to transform nutrients in a way that makes them available for plants.

Carbon Cycling and Climate regulation Fungi are important contributors to the soil carbon stock. Nutrition and food security Some mushrooms are commonly found in the diets of many people around the world. Human Health Besides the benefits of fungi for the environment, they also provide health benefits for humans.

Environmental protection Fungi have been found to help degrade various pollutants from the environment, such as plastic and other petroleum-based products , pharmaceuticals and personal care products , and oil.

Sustainable materials Mycelium, which is the root structure of mushrooms are now being used to replace unsustainable materials, such as plastic, synthetic and animal-based products. How to Protect Soil Fungi Numerous factors can jeopardize soil fungi diversity and functioning, including deforestation, land conversion to agriculture, soil degradation and salinization.

Below, there are some other articles that you might be interested in: Soil biodiversity and human health Biochar: understanding its use and benefits Sustainable agriculture in Amazon could halt deforestation This article was originally published here.

Data provided by scientific publications seldom displays information which habitat characteristics have the biggest importance for the development of a particular species. The large number of interviewees allows us to define the significance of particular habitat indicators based on the percentage of the most often mentioned characteristics.

By analysing the most frequently mentioned fungal habitats, we were able to create collective ethnoecological descriptions with characteristics comparable to scientific knowledge.

Comparison of local folk habitat descriptions with the available scientific knowledge allowed us to select those observations which are present in scientific literature or need further investigation Table 4. The importance of grazing areas and animal manure for the abundance of saprotrophic fungi such as Agaricus campestris L.

and Macrolepiota procera Scop. Gray preference for sylvopastoral habitats [ 39 ];. Armillaria Fr. Staude spp. Roussel preference towards young pine forest stands [ 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ];. preference towards old forest stands [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ];.

need for relatively higher moisture than other wood-decaying basidiomycetes [ 60 ];. Higher abundance of Lactarius deliciosus L. Gray s. fruiting bodies in trenches and small depressions—the appropriate slope and elevation are significant predictors of Lactarius deliciosus L.

Gray complex requirement for high moisture in conjunction with access to strong sunlight [ 47 , 66 , 68 , 69 , 70 ];. Roussel preference for relatively higher moisture than other macrofungi [ 50 , 71 , 72 ];.

Moss presence as one of the parameters potentially determining the habitat of Cantharellus cibarius Fr. and Suillus bovinus L. Roussel [ 61 , 63 , 73 , 74 ];. Suillus bovinus L. Roussel and Suillus luteus L. Suillus variegatus Sw. Broken or ploughed forest cover inducing the production of Gyromitra esculenta Pers.

and Morchella Dill. ex Pers. ascocarps [ 77 , 78 , 79 , 80 ];. Higher abundance of Boletus edulis Bull. and Russulaceae Lfruiting bodies in lighter forest areas such as forest edges [ 81 , 82 , 83 ]. Some phenomena observed by the informants have not yet been researched or tested by science, e.

fruiting bodies in pine forests growing on former arable land than those in ancient forest locations;. Roussel, Tricholoma equestre L. and Tricholoma portentosum Fr. abundance is higher on uneven ground surface;.

Litter density as one of the main factors determining particular Suillus species fructification;. Boar rooting as a stimulator of the production of Suillus bovinus L. Roussel fruiting bodies;. The declining abundance of saprotrophic fungi in analysed areas as related to grazing abandonment and the use of synthetic fertilizers.

Some phenomena mentioned by informants are known to many mycologists but have no scientific confirmation or were only suggested by some authors:.

The xerophillic character of Amanita vaginata Bull. Unconfirmed for A. vaginata , but confirmed for some species from the Vaginatae section [ 44 ];. Low canopy density and exposure of litter to sun stimulating the fruiting of Cortinarius caperatus Pers.

Higher presence of Pleurotus ostreatus Jacq. in cutting and managed areas; unconfirmed but suggested by a few authors dead and damaged wood presence, wood inoculation e.

The positive effect of forest age on the abundance of production of fungal fruiting bodies; mainly unexplored with one publication contradicting it [ 59 ];. Influence of moss on fungal fruiting process e. protective effect, increasing soil nitrogen and phosphorus content and source of saprobiotic nutrition ; mostly unexplored but suggested by [ 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 ].

Mushroom collectors had the general perception that the decrease of mushroom abundance is the general trend in the areas they visit to collect mushrooms. The steady decrease of macrofungal abundance in Europe was already noticed in the s [ 84 , 85 , 86 ].

At the beginning of the s, scientists started to talk about the Mass Extinction of European Fungi [ 87 , 88 ]. However, this tendency was formulated only on the basis of single reports, without presentation of any statistical figures [ 89 ].

The extensive research on the decline in the abundance of macrofungi was initiated at the end of the s by the Dutch scientist, Eef Arnolds. The declining abundance of saprotrophic species occurring in the grasslands has been recorded mostly in connection to the newly implemented agricultural practices and use of artificial fertilizers [ 89 ].

A similar correlation has also been noticed by people living in Mazovia. When reporting on the abundance decrease of the field mushroom Agaricus campestris L. Arnolds [ 89 ] noticed a significant abundance decrease of 55 out of analysed fungal species.

Air and soil pollution were taken to be the main cause of the decreasing abundance of macrofungi [ 89 , 90 , 91 ]. Arnolds based his research on long-term field observations preceding data analysis — and — as well as data collected during two decades of individual research preceding its publication.

The results of the analysis showed a drop in the number of macrofungi species occurring in the Netherlands from 37 to 12 per m 2. Similarly, as in case of studies contacted in Mazovia, Arnolds [ 89 ] observed that species which suffered the most significant decrease belonged to the Lactarius , Cantharellus , Boletus , Tricholoma , and Suillus genus.

According to his studies, the biggest abundance decrease is observed among ectomycorrhizal fungi species—a group to which the majority of species mentioned in present work belong to.

However, Arnolds did not take the gradual changes occurring in soil water regimes into consideration. According to recent studies on soil water content changes, in the last few decades we have been dealing with a gradual decrease of soil water content in Poland [ 91 , 92 , 93 ].

Respondents, too, listed it as one of the main reasons for the decrease in fungal abundance in Mazovian forests Fig. Research from Norway [ 94 ] confirms the significantly negative influence of nitrogen fertilization on the occurrence of fungal fruiting bodies.

However, the same research also shows a high influence of drought on the decrease in the production of fruiting bodies.

De Aragón et al. Certain levels of these indicators have to occur simultaneously for a period of time relevant to the particular species. While all different species depend on different ranges of temperature, all species rely on an increased level of soil moisture.

The impact of climate change on fungi is scientifically indisputable. Gange [ 99 ] conducted year-long research on the period of macrofungal fructification. Data collected on different species shows a tendency for the average first date of fructification to come earlier in the year as time goes on, while the average last fruiting date now occurs significantly later.

In his studies on climate change, Schär et al. According to his observations, one of the main results of this phenomenon is summer droughts such as the one which occurred in Poland in [ ].

The progressive drought observed by the respondents, with its impact on changes in local mycobiota, might be related to scientifically observed changes in climate. It has been recognized that the act of mushroom picking has no significant impact on macrofungal fruiting body abundance [ ]. Mycorrhiza compression, on the other hand, can have a large impact on the occurrence of fruiting bodies.

During present research, 10 independent respondents noticed a relationship between lower numbers of mushrooms and the introduction of heavy machinery to forest management.

According to their reports, the abundance of fungal fruiting bodies decreased after band-saw operators were replaced with devices equipped with felling heads.

The highly negative impact of the pressure of heavy machinery on forest litter layer has been confirmed by Arnolds [ 91 ] and Frey [ ].

Therefore, it is important to conduct further studies on the scale of this problem and to search for a new solution to be implemented in forest management. The decrease in fungal abundance could be also related to disturbances in the environmental nitrogen cycle as a result of artificial manure use, as confirmed by Vitousek [ ].

The increased abundance of Imleria badia Fr. This type of soil dominates in pine forests—the main forest type in Mazovia. The research conducted in European countries by Rosinger el al [ ]. shows that species such as Xerocomus badius Fr.

Gilbert currently Imleria badia Fr. Vizzini , Scleroderma citrinum Pers. and Paxillus involutus Batsch Fr. usually occur in areas that combine high annual temperature and low annual rainfall. This may also explain the higher Imleria badia occurrence. Furthermore, Clemmensen [ ], Morgado [ ], and Fernandez [ ] classify the Bay Bolete to the group of long-distance exploration fungi.

In other words, this species is able to create long rhizomorphs that enable efficient habitat penetration. Aside from improving its ability to explore, long rhizomorphs also improve water transportation and accumulation [ ]. The interviewed Polish mushroom collectors had a deep understanding of fungal habitats.

They used different scales of habitats to describe the habitat preferences of various fungi species. The high number of 98 fungal habitats listed by the respondents confirms the highly mycophillic character of people living in the studied area [ 34 ].

We found that some phenomena which have not yet been studied or tested by science were observed by multiple informants. Locals had the unanimous perception that fungal abundance is decreasing, and they identified drought as the key driver of the change.

We conclude that local ecological knowledge of lay mushroom collectors could offer new stimuli for scientific research and contribute to citizen-based monitoring of macrofungi. Our large area study on fungal ethnoecology has a preliminary character and aims to encourage further research on this topic in other regions inhabited by mycophillic societies.

Conklin HC. Hanunoo Agriculture. FAO Forestry Development Paper No. Rome: Food and Agricultural Organization; Google Scholar. Anderson EN. Ethnobiology: overview of a growing field.

In: Anderson EN, Pearsall DM, Hunn ES, Turner NJ, editors. Ethnobiology; Chapter Google Scholar. Ingold T. The perception of the environment: essays on livelihood, dwelling and skill.

London: Routledge. Berkes F. Traditional ecological knowledge in perspective. In: Traditional ecological knowledge: concepts and cases Vol. Berlin EA, Berlin B. Medical ethnobiology of the Highland Maya of Chiapas, Mexico: the gastrointestinal diseases. Nazarea VD, editor. Tucson: University of Arizona Press; Yamin-Pasternak S, Pasternak I.

Int Encycl Anthropol. Huntington HP. Using traditional ecological knowledge in science: methods and applications. Ecol Appl. Moller H, Berkes F, Lyver POB, Kislalioglu M.

Combining science and traditional ecological knowledge: monitoring populations for co-management. Ecol Soc. Molnár Z, Kis J, Vadász C, Papp L, Sándor I, Béres S, et al. Common and conflicting objectives and practices of herders and conservation managers: the need for a conservation herder.

Ecosystem Health Sustainability. Gantuya B, Avar Á, Babai D, Molnár Á, Molnár Z. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed. Article CAS Google Scholar. Bürgi M, Bieling C, Von Hackwitz K, Kizos T, Lieskovský J, Martín MG, et al. Processes and driving forces in changing cultural landscapes across Europe.

Landscape Ecol. Article Google Scholar. Kelemen E, Nguyen G, Gomiero T, Kovács E, Choisis JP, Choisis N, et al. Land use Policy.

Nakashima D, KrupniEk I, Rubis JT, editors. Indigenous knowledge for climate change assessment and adaptation. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; Ujházy N, Molnár Z, Bede-Fazekas Á, Biró M. Do farmers and conservationists perceive landscape changes differently? Ahnström J, Höckert J, Bergeå HL, Francis CA, Skelton P, Hallgren L.

Farmers and nature conservation: What is known about attitudes, context factors and actions affecting conservation? Renew Agri Food Syst. Gadgil M, Seshagiri Rao PR, Utkarsh G, Pramod P, Chhatre A. Volpato G, Rossi D, Dentoni D. A reward for patience and suffering: ethnomycology and commodification of desert truffles among Sahrawi refugees and nomads of Western Sahara.

Econ Bot. Trappe JM, Claridge AW, Claridge DL, Liddle L. Desert truffles of the Australian outback: ecology, ethnomycology, and taxonomy. Lampman AM. Tzeltal ethnomycology: naming, classification and use of mushrooms in the highlands of Chiapas, Mexico. Georgia: Doctoral dissertation, University of Georgia; Davies N.

Boże igrzysko. Historia Polski. Kraków: Otwarte; Pałucki W. Mazowsze w drugiej połowie XVI wieku. Warszaw: Państwowe Wydawnictwo Naukowe; Główny Urząd Statystyczny.

Bank Danych Lokalnych. Kondracki J. Geografia regionalna Polski. Warszawa: Naukowe PWN; Lorenc H. Atlas klimatu Polski. Warsaw: Instytut Meteorologii i Gospodarki Wodnej; European Environment Agency. Corine Land Cover Seamless Vector Data. Braun K. Oblicze etnograficzne współczesnego województwa mazowieckiego.

Rocznik Mazowiecki. Martin GJ. Ethnobotany: a methods manual. London: Routledge; Book Google Scholar. Kotowski MA, Pietras M, Łuczaj Ł. Extreme levels of mycophilia documented in Mazovia, a region of Poland. Article PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar. Albuquerque UP, Ramos MA, de Lucena RFP, Alencar NL.

Methods and techniques used to collect ethnobiological data. In Methods and techniques in Ethnobiology and Ethnoecology. New York: Humana Press; Yamin-Pasternak S. Ethnomycology: fungi and mushrooms in cultural entanglements.

In: Ethnobiology. New Jersey: Wiley; Lê S, Josse J, Husson F. FactoMineR: an R package for multivariate analysis. J Stat Softw. Gumińska B, Wojewoda W. Grzyby i ich oznaczanie. Warszawa: Państwowe Wydawnicto Rolnicze i Leśne; Wojewoda W.

Checklist of Polish Larger Basidiomycetes. Kraków: W. Szafer Institute of Botany-Polish Academy of Sciences; Arora D. Mushrooms demystified. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press; Crisan EV, Sands A, Chang ST, Hayes WA. The biology and cultivation of edible mushrooms.

Nutri Value N Y Acad. Gramss G. The universe of basidiomycetous ground fungi. In: Current research, technology and education topics in applied microbiology and microbial biotechnology. Badajoz: Formatex; Ingold CT, Hudson HJ. Ecology of saprotrophic fungi. In: The Biology of Fungi. Abate D.

Agaricus campestris in upland Ethiopia. Shaw CG III, Roth LF. Control of Armillaria root rot in managed coniferous forests 1: a literature review. Eur J Forest Pathol. Termorshuizen AJ. Succession of mycorrhizal fungi in stands of Pinus sylvestris in the Netherlands.

J Veg Sci. Dahlberg A, Stenlid JAN. Size, distribution and biomass of genets in populations of Suillus bovinus L. Roussel revealed by somatic incompatibility. New Phytol. Article PubMed Google Scholar. Kubiak J. Wpływ różnych szczepionek mikoryzowych na wzrost sosny i liczbę pączków.

Inżynieria Rolnicza. Piškur B, Bajc M, Robek R, Humar M, Sinjur I, Kadunc A, et al. Influence of Pleurotus ostreatus inoculation on wood degradation and fungal colonization. Bioresource Technol. Babai D, Molnár Z. Multidimensionality and scale in a landscape ethnoecological partitioning of a mountainous landscape Gyimes, Eastern Carpathians, Romania.

Kałucka I. Macrofungi in the secondary succession on the abandoned farmland near the Białowieża old-growth forest. Monog Botan. Hurst J, Rutherford L. Kałucka IL, Jagodziński AM. Successional traits of ectomycorrhizal fungi in forest reclamation after surface mining and agricultural disturbances: a review.

Durall DM, Gamiet S, Simard SW, Kudrna L, Sakakibara SM. Effects of clearcut logging and tree species composition on the diversity and community composition of epigeous fruit bodies formed by ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Stankeviciene D, Kasparavicius J. Studies on ectomycorrhizal basidiomycete in pine forest on the Lithuania-Poland transboundary region.

Acta Mycol. Martínez-Peña F, Ágreda T, Águeda B, Ortega-Martínez P, Fernández-Toirán LM. Edible sporocarp production by age class in a Scots pine stand in Northern Spain.

Eilertsen L. Presence of Hydnellum species on pine heaths. Umeå: Umeå University; Łuczaj Ł, Sadowska B. Edge effect in different groups of organisms: vascular plant, bryophyte and fungi species richness across a forest-grassland border.

Folia Geobotan Phytotaxonom. Lavoie M, Paré D, Bergeron Y. Relationships between microsite type and the growth and nutrition of young black spruce on post-disturbed lowland black spruce sites in eastern Canada.

Can J Forest Res. Boddy L. Interspecific combative interactions between wood-decaying basidiomycetes. FEMS Microbiol Ecol. Article CAS PubMed Google Scholar. Bonet JA, De-Miguel S, de Aragón JM, Pukkala T, Palahí M.

Immediate effect of thinning on the yield of Lactarius group deliciosus in Pinuspinaster forests in Northeastern Spain. Forest Ecol Manage. Kucuker MD, Baskent EZ. Modeling the productivity of commercial Lactarius mushrooms: a case study in the Kizilcasu planning unit, Turkey.

Nat Res Model. Zhu JJ, Li FQ, Xu ML, Kang HZ, Wu XY. The role of ectomycorrhizal fungi in alleviating pine decline in semiarid sandy soil of northern China: an experimental approach. Ann Forest Sci. Johnson LM, Hunn ES. Landscape ethnoecology: concepts of biotic and physical space. New York: Berghahn Books; Hobson G.

Traditional knowledge is science. Northern Perspect. Hintikka V. On the macromycete flora in oligotrophic pine forests of different ages in South Finland. Acta Bot Fenn. Koide RT, Malcolm GM. N concentration controls decomposition rates of different strains of ectomycorrhizal fungi.

Fungal Ecol. Aučina A, Rudawska M, Leski T, Skridaila A, Riepšas E, Iwanski M. Growth and mycorrhizal community structure of Pinus sylvestris seedlings following the addition of forest litter.

Article CAS PubMed PubMed Central Google Scholar. Bödeker IT, Clemmensen KE, de Boer W, Martin F, Olson Å, Lindahl BD. Ectomycorrhizal Cortinarius species participate in enzymatic oxidation of humus in northern forest ecosystems.

New Phytologist. Reid, D. Changes in the British macromycete flora. In The Changing Flora and Fauna of Britain cd. Hawksworth , pp.

Londyn, Nowy Jork. Pinna S, Gévry MF, Côté M, Sirois L. Factors influencing fructification phenology of edible mushrooms in a boreal mixed forest of Eastern Canada.

Liu B, Bonet JA, Fischer CR, de Aragón JM, Bassie L, Colinas C. Lactarius deliciosus Fr. soil extraradical mycelium correlates with stand fruitbody productivity and is increased by forest thinning.

Castaño C, Alday JG, Parladé J, Pera J, de Aragón JM, Bonet JA. Seasonal dynamics of the ectomycorrhizal fungus Lactarius vinosus are altered by changes in soil moisture and temperature.

Soil Biol Biochem. Sotek Z, Stasińska M. Różnorodność macromycetes na tle przemian roślinności na torfowisku atlantyckim" Stramniczka". Woda-Środowisko-Obszary Wiejskie.

Carleton TJ, Read DJ. Ectomycorrhizas and nutrient transfer in conifer—feather moss ecosystems. Can J Bot. Pilz, D. Ecology and management of commercially harvested chanterelle mushrooms. Portland, OR: US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station.

Kauserud H, Mathiesen C, Ohlson M. High diversity of fungi associated with living parts of boreal forest bryophytes. Rochon C, Paré D, Pélardy N, Khasa DP, Fortin JA. Ecology and productivity of Cantharellus cibarius var. roseocanus in two eastern Canadian jack pine stands.

Veijalainen H. Effect of forestry on the yields of wild berries and edible fungi. Ecol Bull. Jalkanen R, Jalkanen E. Studies on the effects of soil surface treatments on crop of false morel Gyromitra esculenta in spruce forests. Omura K. Science against modern science: the socio-political construction of otherness in Inuit TEK traditional ecological knowledge.

Senri Ethnol Stud. Ohenoja E. Effect of forest management procedures on fungal fruit body production in Finland. Goldway M, Rachel AMIR, Goldberg D, Hadar Y, Levanon D. Morchella conica exhibiting a long fruiting season. Mycological Research. Egli S, Ayer F, Peter M, Eilmann B, Rigling A. Is forest mushroom productivity driven by tree growth?

Results from a thinning experiment. Tomao A, Bonet JA, de Aragón JM, de Miguel S. Is silviculture able to enhance wild forest mushroom resources? Current knowledge and future perspectives. Dickie IA, Reich PB. Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities at forest edges. J Ecol. Dickie IA, Dentinger BTM, Avis PG, McLaughlin DJ, Reich PB.

Ectomycorrhizal fungal communities of oak savanna are distinct from forest communities. Żółciak, A. Inokulacja pniaków liściastych grzybnią boczniaka ostrygowatego [Pleurotus ostreatus] jako biologiczna metoda zabezpieczania przed opieńkową zgnilizną korzeni.

Prace Instytutu Badawczego Leśnictwa. Schlumpf E. Sollen unsere Pilze aussterben. Schweizerische Zeitschrift Pilzkunde. Benteli Verlag.

Jansen E, de Wit T. Veranderingen in de verspreiding van de Cantharel in Nederland. Jaenike J. Mass Extinction of European Fungi. Cherfas J. Disappearing mushrooms: another mass extinction? Arnolds E. The changing macromycete flora in the Netherlands. Transact Br Mycol Soc. Decline of ectomycorrhizal fungi in Europe.

Agri Ecosyst Environ. Conservation and management of natural populations of edible fungi. Molnár Z. Classification of pasture habitats by Hungarian herders in a steppe landscape Hungary.

Kundzewicz, Z. Climate change regional review. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Climate Change, ;3 4 ,

Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. Explore further. Climate indices and precipitation anomalies reveal stark implications for the Middle East 6 hours ago.

Relevant PhysicsForums posts Left Atrial Appendage LAA Closure for prophylactic A-fib treatment Feb 10, Makoy Samuel Yibi and the Guinea worm Feb 10, PFAS and Power Lines Cause Cancer? Feb 9, Difference between symbionts and parasites Feb 8, Discovery of An Annotated Work by Vesalius Feb 7, Related Stories.

Soil fungi help tree seedlings survive, influence forest diversity Jan 13, Jan 10, Apr 14, Trichaptum mushrooms found to have more than 17, gender alleles Apr 21, Feb 7, Oct 3, Recommended for you. Love songs lead scientists to new populations of Skywalker gibbons found in Myanmar 10 hours ago.

Synthetic fibers and tire abrasion found to have the strongest impact on corals 12 hours ago. Load comments 0. Let us know if there is a problem with our content. Your message to the editors. Your email only if you want to be contacted back. Send Feedback. Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.

E-mail the story Mushrooms serve as 'main character' in most ecosystems. Your friend's email. Your email. I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more. Your name. Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. We find it does include a lot of species not mentioned in Baroni's guide, has informative comments about similar species, and is updated with new names and research on species that are considered a complex or group of species now.

If you would like to dig in and hone your skills, here is a datasheet for making observations in the field. It is a great help to sit down with a mushroom, ideally where you picked it, and note down as much as you can.

This includes describing the habitat, the substrate it's growing from, its surface texture, how it spreads spores gills, teeth, pores etc , and measurements. Once you describe it to the best you can, using books and online resources to identify alongside notes can make all the difference.

This is a GREAT way to practice vocabulary. Check out this link for an online glossary. Documenting Observations:.

Tracking what mushrooms you find throughout the year can be a contribution to citizen science iNat or a fun way to practice ID and be able to look back at what you have found in the past. See below for some tips on overall ID and how to make useful observations.

Take either a series of photos or one photo that shows different parts of the mushroom using multiple specimens. For other mushrooms, capture as many angles as you can, bruise or break it apart to see what the flesh looks like or what color it is, and anything else that stands out or seems unique.

Before taking photos, try to remember to touch, rub, or bruise different parts of the specimen for color changes, this can be important for ID. It is also helpful to document the mushroom in its natural habitat before picking for when you need to know the habitat it was found in. Some genera are mycorrhizal, growing out of the ground, and some are saprophytic, growing out of dead wood that is breaking down.

This will help narrow down the identity. Additionally, being familiar with the kind of forest or species of trees you are near can also help distinguish possibilities. False Turkey Tail. Life in Our Farmscape: the Biodiversity of Columbia County. com -- This is one of our favorite resources for corroborating a suspicion or using a key.

Michael Kuo, the creator of this site and author of a few books, is a retired English teacher and an amateur mycologist. His thoughtful and honest descriptions not only help with narrowing down and recommending look-a-likes to check against but also lay out what it takes or if it is possible to be confident in an identification.

He even has a page on trees to help identify habitats! Fungi do not have chlorophyll and cannot perform photosynthesis like plants.

Instead, they obtain nutrients through absorption. Fungi play essential roles in ecosystems as decomposers, pathogens, and symbiotic partners. Mushrooms: Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of certain fungi. They are the reproductive structures that emerge above ground or from other substrates.

Mushrooms have distinct characteristics, including caps, stalks, and spore-producing structures such as gills or pores. They are visible and often recognizable due to their varied shapes, sizes, and colors. Other Fungal Forms: While mushrooms are the most familiar type of fungi, there are many other forms of fungi that do not produce mushrooms.

These include:. Mold: Mold is a type of fungi that often grows on damp surfaces, such as food, walls, or organic matter. It typically appears as fuzzy patches of growth and plays a crucial role in the decomposition process.

Yeast: Yeast is a single-celled fungus that is used in various applications, including baking, brewing, and fermentation. It is known for its ability to convert sugars into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Lichens: Lichens are unique symbiotic associations between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria.

They have a mutualistic relationship where the fungi provide a protective structure, while the photosynthetic partners produce food through photosynthesis. Mycorrhizae: Mycorrhizae are symbiotic relationships between fungi and the roots of plants.

The fungi assist in nutrient uptake from the soil and receive sugars from the plant in return. Mycorrhizal associations are essential for the growth and health of many plant species. While mushrooms are a captivating and well-known group of fungi, it is important to recognize and appreciate the vast diversity of fungal forms and their vital contributions to ecosystems.

Vast Species Count: It is estimated that there are over , described species of mushrooms worldwide. However, this number is believed to represent only a fraction of the actual fungal diversity, with numerous species yet to be discovered and classified.

Various Shapes and Sizes: Mushrooms come in an astonishing array of shapes, sizes, and forms. From the classic umbrella-shaped caps with stalks to delicate cups, brackets, coral-like structures, and even bizarre and alien-looking formations, the diversity of mushroom shapes is captivating.

Colorful and Diverse Colors: Mushroom species exhibit an incredible range of colors. They can be found in hues of white, brown, yellow, red, orange, blue, green, and even vibrant and striking colors like purple, pink, and black.

The diverse colors add to the visual allure of mushrooms. Ecological Niches: Mushrooms occupy diverse ecological niches, growing in various habitats worldwide. They can be found in forests, grasslands, wetlands, deserts, and even on decaying matter like fallen logs or animal dung.

Each habitat supports its own unique assemblage of mushroom species. Edibility and Culinary Delights: A significant number of mushroom species are edible and have been consumed by humans for centuries.

Culinary enthusiasts and foragers are fascinated by the wide range of flavors, textures, and culinary potential offered by edible mushrooms. Medicinal Potential: Mushrooms have a long history of use in traditional medicine. Many species possess bioactive compounds that exhibit medicinal properties.

Endemic and Rare Species: Some mushroom species are endemic to specific regions or habitats, making them even more unique and valuable. These rare species often have specialized ecological requirements and play a vital role in their respective ecosystems.

The diversity and abundance of mushroom species are a testament to the intricate and fascinating world of fungi. Exploring and appreciating this diversity not only brings aesthetic pleasure but also contributes to our understanding of ecosystems and the potential benefits that mushrooms offer, both ecologically and for human well-being.

Spore Germination: The life cycle begins with the release of spores from mature mushrooms. These spores are microscopic and dispersed into the surrounding environment. When conditions are favorable, spores land on suitable substrates, such as soil, decaying matter, or plant material.

Mycelium Formation: Upon landing on a suitable substrate, spores germinate and give rise to thread-like structures called hyphae. Hyphae grow and branch out, intertwining to form a network known as the mycelium. The mycelium is the vegetative part of the fungus, responsible for nutrient absorption and growth.

Nutrient Absorption and Expansion: The mycelium continues to grow by absorbing nutrients from the substrate. It secretes enzymes that break down organic matter into simpler compounds that can be readily absorbed. As the mycelium expands, it forms a web-like network, extending further into the substrate.

Fruiting Body Initiation: Under suitable environmental conditions, such as the right temperature, humidity, and nutrient availability, the mycelium reaches a stage where it is ready to produce a fruiting body, which is the mushroom itself.

Fruiting body initiation is triggered by various factors, including genetic programming and environmental cues.

Fruiting Body Development: Once initiated, the mycelium undergoes a transformation, and the fruiting body begins to form. The mycelium directs its energy and resources towards creating the structures that will eventually become the cap, stalk, gills or pores, and other characteristic features of the mushroom.

Spore Production and Dispersal: As the fruiting body develops, specialized structures, such as gills or pores, mature. These structures contain basidia or other spore-producing cells. Through a complex process, spores are produced and accumulate on the surface of the gills or within the pores.

Spore Release and Life Cycle Continuation: When the fruiting body reaches maturity, it releases spores into the environment. These spores are dispersed by air currents, water, or various other means. If conditions are favorable, spores that land on suitable substrates can germinate, initiating new mycelium growth and continuing the life cycle.

The life cycle of mushrooms is a fascinating and intricate process that involves different stages and relies on favorable environmental conditions for successful reproduction and propagation.

Temperature: Mushrooms have specific temperature requirements for optimal growth. Different mushroom species have different temperature preferences, ranging from cool to warm. The temperature affects the speed of mycelium growth, fruiting body formation, and overall development.

Deviations from the ideal temperature range can hinder or delay mushroom growth. Moisture and Humidity: Adequate moisture and humidity are crucial for mushroom growth.

Mushrooms require a moist environment to support mycelium growth, nutrient absorption, and fruiting body formation.

Proper humidity levels help prevent drying out of the mycelium and facilitate spore production and release. Light: Light requirements for mushroom growth vary depending on the species.

Some mushrooms thrive in low light or complete darkness, while others benefit from exposure to indirect light. Light can influence the direction and shape of fruiting body development, as well as regulate the timing of mushroom formation.

Air Exchange and Ventilation: Proper air exchange and ventilation are important for maintaining a suitable environment for mushroom growth. Fresh air circulation helps remove excess carbon dioxide and replenish oxygen levels.

It also aids in regulating humidity and preventing the buildup of contaminants that could hinder mushroom development. Substrate Composition: The type and composition of the substrate on which mushrooms grow significantly impact their growth and development.

Different mushroom species have specific substrate preferences. Common substrates include wood, straw, compost, or other organic materials. The substrate provides nutrients and serves as a support structure for the mycelium and fruiting bodies.

Nutrient Availability: Mushrooms require a sufficient supply of nutrients to support their growth. Organic matter present in the substrate serves as a source of nutrients. Proper nutrient balance, including carbon, nitrogen, and other essential elements, is essential for mycelium colonization, fruiting body formation, and spore production.

Genetic Factors: Each mushroom species has its own genetic makeup, which influences its growth characteristics, including growth rate, fruiting body size, shape, and other traits.

Genetic factors can also impact the environmental conditions required for optimal growth and development. By carefully managing these factors, growers and enthusiasts can create favorable conditions to promote healthy and abundant mushroom growth. Decomposition and Nutrient Cycling: Mushrooms are prominent decomposers, breaking down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves, wood, and animal remains.

They release enzymes that break down complex organic compounds into simpler forms, facilitating nutrient recycling and returning essential elements to the soil. This process helps maintain ecosystem health and nutrient availability.

Mycorrhizal Associations: Many mushrooms form mutualistic associations with plants, known as mycorrhizae. In these symbiotic relationships, the mycelium of the mushroom colonizes the roots of plants. Mycorrhizae enhance nutrient uptake for both the mushroom and the host plant. The mycelium extends into the soil, increasing the surface area for nutrient absorption and aiding in water uptake.

Mycorrhizal associations promote plant growth, enhance plant resilience to environmental stressors, and contribute to ecosystem stability. Soil Formation and Structure: The mycelium of mushrooms, along with other soil fungi, contribute to the formation and maintenance of healthy soils.

They create a network of hyphae that bind soil particles together, improving soil structure, aeration, and water retention. This enhances soil fertility, promotes root penetration, and facilitates the movement of nutrients through the soil.

Habitat and Microhabitat Creation: Mushrooms provide habitats and microhabitats for numerous organisms. The fruiting bodies offer shelter and food sources for insects, small mammals, and other animals.

They create microenvironments that support a range of microorganisms, including bacteria and other fungi. Some mushrooms even host specialized species, such as mycophagous insects that depend on them for reproduction and survival.

Food Web Support: Mushrooms serve as an important food source for many organisms. Insects, slugs, snails, and larger animals feed on mushrooms, contributing to energy flow and nutrient cycling within food webs. Mushroom-eating animals play a role in spore dispersal, allowing mushrooms to colonize new areas and propagate.

Ecological Succession: Mushrooms are often associated with ecological succession, particularly in the decomposition of organic matter during early stages of succession.

They prepare the ground for the establishment of other plant species by breaking down complex compounds and making nutrients available for subsequent vegetation. Indicator Species: Some mushrooms are considered indicator species, providing valuable information about ecosystem health and environmental conditions.

Certain species are sensitive to changes in air quality, soil contamination, or habitat disturbances. Monitoring their presence or absence can serve as an indicator of ecosystem integrity and aid in conservation efforts.

The ecological functions of mushrooms highlight their critical contributions to ecosystem dynamics, nutrient cycling, and overall ecological balance. Understanding and preserving these functions is essential for maintaining healthy and resilient ecosystems.

Nutrient Cycling: Mushrooms, as decomposers, play a crucial role in nutrient cycling within ecosystems. They break down complex organic matter, such as dead leaves, wood, and animal remains, into simpler compounds. Through enzymatic processes, mushrooms release enzymes that break down complex molecules into nutrients like carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and others.

These nutrients are then made available for uptake by plants, contributing to the overall fertility of the soil. In this way, mushrooms facilitate the recycling and redistribution of nutrients, promoting ecosystem health and productivity.

Decomposition: Mushrooms are key decomposers in ecosystems, specializing in breaking down lignocellulosic materials found in dead plant matter.

They secrete enzymes that efficiently degrade these complex compounds, accelerating the decomposition process. By breaking down organic matter, mushrooms contribute to the release of nutrients, energy, and carbon dioxide back into the environment.

This decomposition activity not only helps in recycling nutrients but also aids in the removal of organic waste, promoting the renewal and regeneration of ecosystems.

Symbiotic Relationships: Mushrooms form mutually beneficial associations with other organisms, known as symbiotic relationships.

The two main types of symbiotic relationships involving mushrooms are mycorrhizal associations and endophytic associations. Mycorrhizal Associations: Many mushrooms form mycorrhizal associations with the roots of plants. The mycelium of the mushroom colonizes the root system, forming a symbiotic relationship.

In return, the plant provides the mushroom with sugars and carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis. Mycorrhizal associations are widespread and vital for the growth and survival of many plant species, contributing to plant health, ecosystem stability, and nutrient cycling.

Endophytic Associations: Some mushrooms form endophytic associations with living plant tissues. They colonize the inner tissues of leaves, stems, or roots without causing harm to the host plant. They can also aid in nutrient uptake and improve overall plant health. These symbiotic relationships showcase the mutual benefits that mushrooms offer to other organisms, promoting plant growth, nutrient acquisition, and ecosystem functioning.

They are vital contributors to the dynamic processes that sustain ecosystems and support the functioning of diverse organisms within them. The fungal mycelium extends into the soil, effectively increasing the root surface area for nutrient absorption.

The fungi release enzymes that help break down organic matter, making nutrients more accessible to the plant. In return, the plant provides the fungus with carbohydrates produced through photosynthesis. This is particularly beneficial in arid or nutrient-poor environments where water availability is limited.

Enhanced Plant Growth and Vigor: Mycorrhizal associations promote plant growth and vigor. By improving nutrient acquisition and water uptake, plants with mycorrhizal associations typically exhibit increased root and shoot development, leading to healthier and more robust plants.

They also contribute to improved stress tolerance, enabling plants to better withstand environmental challenges such as drought, disease, and nutrient deficiencies. Ecosystem Stability: Mycorrhizal associations contribute to overall ecosystem stability.

They facilitate nutrient cycling and the transfer of carbon between plants and fungi. This cycling helps maintain nutrient availability and balance within ecosystems, supporting the growth and survival of various plant species.

Additionally, mycorrhizal networks connect individual plants, enabling the exchange of nutrients, carbon, and even signaling molecules between plants. This interconnectedness fosters communication and cooperation within plant communities, enhancing ecosystem resilience.

Soil Health and Fertility: Mycorrhizal associations improve soil health and fertility. The fungal hyphae contribute to the development of soil aggregates, improving soil structure, porosity, and water-holding capacity.

This enhances nutrient availability, reduces soil erosion, and promotes the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Mycorrhizal fungi also secrete compounds that suppress pathogenic microorganisms, thereby protecting plant roots from diseases.

Ecological Succession: Mycorrhizal associations are integral to ecological succession, the process of gradual change and development of ecosystems over time.

They play a vital role in the establishment and survival of pioneer plant species on barren or disturbed soils. Mycorrhizal fungi facilitate nutrient acquisition in nutrient-poor environments, aiding in the colonization of these areas by early successional species.

As the ecosystem matures, mycorrhizal associations continue to support the growth and persistence of plant communities. In summary, mycorrhizal associations are of immense significance in promoting plant health, nutrient acquisition, and ecosystem stability.

They enhance plant growth, improve nutrient and water uptake, and contribute to the resilience and functioning of ecosystems. Understanding and fostering these associations are essential for sustainable land management, ecological restoration, and maintaining healthy, diverse ecosystems.

You will love our Decoration 😊. Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: The destruction and fragmentation of natural habitats pose a significant threat to mushroom species. Urbanization, deforestation, agricultural expansion, and land-use changes result in the loss and degradation of forests, woodlands, and other natural habitats that mushrooms depend on.

The removal of host trees, which are crucial for certain mushroom species, can disrupt their life cycles and lead to population declines. Climate Change: Climate change poses a range of challenges for mushroom species and their habitats. Alterations in temperature, precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events can impact the timing of fruiting, mycelium growth, and overall mushroom population dynamics.

Changes in temperature and humidity can also disrupt the delicate balance required for successful mushroom reproduction and survival. Pollution and Contamination: Pollution, including air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination, can negatively affect mushroom species and their habitats.

Toxic substances such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and chemical pollutants can accumulate in mushrooms, impairing their growth and reproduction. Contaminated soils or water bodies can lead to the decline of sensitive mushroom species and disrupt the ecological interactions they participate in.

Overharvesting and Unsustainable Collection: Unregulated and unsustainable harvesting of mushrooms can deplete populations and disrupt ecosystems. Some mushroom species have slow growth rates and low reproductive capacities, making them particularly vulnerable to overharvesting.

Collecting mushrooms without considering sustainable practices, such as leaving some behind for spore dispersal and future growth, can have long-term detrimental effects on their populations.

Invasive Species: Invasive species, both plant and fungal, can pose a threat to native mushroom species and their habitats. Invasive fungi can outcompete or parasitize native mushroom species, leading to declines in their populations. Invasive plants can alter habitat conditions, reducing suitable environments for native mushrooms and disrupting the associated ecological interactions.

Lack of Awareness and Conservation Efforts: A lack of awareness and understanding about the ecological importance of mushrooms and their conservation needs can contribute to their decline. Insufficient conservation efforts, limited research, and inadequate protection measures for mushroom habitats further exacerbate the threats they face.

Implementing measures to mitigate climate change, reduce pollution, and promote habitat restoration can help safeguard mushroom species and their habitats for future generations. Deforestation: Deforestation involves the clearance and removal of forests, which are important habitats for many mushroom species.

The loss of forests disrupts the complex ecosystem interactions that mushrooms depend on, such as mycorrhizal associations with trees. It reduces the availability of suitable substrates and host trees necessary for the growth and development of various mushroom species.

Deforestation also leads to habitat fragmentation, isolating populations and limiting their genetic diversity, which can increase their vulnerability to other threats.

Pollution: Pollution from various sources, including air, water, and soil pollution, has detrimental effects on mushroom species and their habitats. Air pollution, such as high levels of sulfur dioxide or nitrogen oxides, can directly harm mushrooms by damaging their tissues, impairing their growth, and reducing their reproductive capacity.

Water pollution, caused by industrial runoff, agricultural chemicals, or untreated sewage, can contaminate water bodies, affecting mushroom habitats and leading to declines in their populations. Soil contamination with toxic substances like heavy metals can accumulate in mushrooms, making them unfit for consumption and disrupting their ecological roles.

Climate Change: Climate change has profound implications for mushroom species and their habitats. Rising temperatures, altered precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events disrupt the delicate balance required for mushroom growth, fruiting, and overall population dynamics.

Changes in temperature and humidity can affect the timing and occurrence of fruiting bodies, leading to mismatches with other organisms that depend on mushrooms for food or spore dispersal.

Climate change can also shift the geographic ranges of mushroom species, impacting their distribution and potentially leading to local extinctions if suitable habitats become unavailable.

Unsustainable Harvesting Practices: Unsustainable harvesting practices, such as overharvesting or destructive collection methods, have severe consequences for mushroom species. Overharvesting depletes populations and disrupts the natural reproductive cycle of mushrooms, impeding their ability to reproduce and regenerate.

Some mushroom species have slow growth rates and low reproductive capacities, making them particularly vulnerable. Destructive collection methods, such as uprooting entire mushrooms or damaging their surrounding habitats, can have long-lasting impacts, preventing future growth and degrading ecosystems.

These factors interact and compound each other, further exacerbating the impacts on mushroom species and their habitats. The loss of mushroom species can have cascading effects on ecosystems, including disruptions to nutrient cycling, mycorrhizal associations, and overall ecosystem functioning.

Preserving forests, reducing pollution, mitigating climate change, and promoting sustainable harvesting practices are essential for the conservation and long-term survival of mushroom species and the ecosystems they support.

Ecosystem Health: Mushroom biodiversity is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and functioning. Mushrooms contribute to nutrient cycling, decomposition, and symbiotic relationships, playing integral roles in maintaining soil fertility, promoting plant growth, and supporting diverse organisms within ecosystems.

Biodiversity Conservation: Mushroom species represent a significant component of overall biodiversity. Conserving mushroom biodiversity helps protect the integrity and resilience of ecosystems, ensuring the presence of various ecological interactions and maintaining the balance of populations within ecosystems.

Habitat Restoration: Many mushroom species play important roles in habitat restoration efforts. They help in breaking down organic matter, promoting soil development, and facilitating the establishment of plant communities.

Restoring mushroom diversity is vital for the successful rehabilitation of degraded habitats and the reestablishment of healthy ecosystems. Edible and Culinary Uses: Numerous mushroom species have culinary value and are consumed worldwide.

Preserving mushroom biodiversity ensures a diverse array of edible species, supporting the culinary industry, local food systems, and traditional practices related to mushroom gathering and cuisine.

Non-timber Forest Products: Mushrooms contribute to non-timber forest product industries, providing economic opportunities for local communities. Sustainable harvesting and marketing of wild mushrooms can generate income, promote rural livelihoods, and foster sustainable forest management practices.

Agriculture and Horticulture: Certain mushroom species, such as oyster mushrooms and shiitake mushrooms, are cultivated for commercial purposes. Preserving mushroom biodiversity allows for the continued exploration and development of new mushroom cultivars with desirable traits, supporting the growth of the agricultural and horticultural sectors.

Traditional Medicine: Mushrooms have long been used in traditional medicine systems across various cultures. Many mushroom species possess medicinal properties and are valued for their potential therapeutic applications, including immune modulation, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-cancer properties.

Preserving mushroom biodiversity ensures the availability of diverse species with potential medicinal benefits.