Fungal ethnoecology: observed habitat preferences and the perception of changes in fungal abundance by mushroom collectors in Poland

Abstract

Background Scientists frequently raise the topic of data deficiency related to the abundance and distribution of macrofungi in the context of climate change. Our study is the first detailed documentation on locals’ perception of fungal ecology which covers a large mycophilous region of Europe (Mazovia, Poland). Methods A total of 695 semi-structured interviews were carried out among local informants in 38 localities proportionally distributed throughout the study area (one locality approximately every 30 km). Interview questions concerned fungi species collected, their perceived habitats, and whether any changes had been noted in their abundance. As many as 556 respondents provided information concerning fungal ecology. In these descriptions, 35 taxa were mentioned by at least 5 respondents. Results The data collected during interviews allowed us to create collective folk descriptions of habitat preferences and a list of 98 different macro-, meso-, and microhabitats of macrofungi described by the respondents. This list of recurring habitats assigned to particular macrofungal taxa coincides with, and sometimes exceeds, data available in scientific publications. Some habitat preferences observed by the informants have not yet been researched or tested by science. Out of 695 respondents, 366 (53%) noticed a steady decrease in local macrofungi abundance, and only one person claimed to have observed a steady increase. Imleria badia was the only species with increased abundance, as noted by fifteen independent respondents. The main listed reason for abundance decrease was drought (f = 186). Conclusions Collected information on the ecology of fungi shows that local knowledge does not generally diverge from scientific knowledge. The acquired information related to macrofungal abundance and ecology may also be used as a tool for the formulation of new scientific questions and theories. The analysis of local fungi observations might contribute to broadening knowledge about local changes in fungi and enable new estimations related to large-scale analysis of macrofungal abundance.

Diversity and Distribution of Macrofungi in Protected Mountain Forest Habitats in Serbia and Its Relation to Abiotic Factors

“…In the first place, there is a great variety of studied factors (various macro and microclimatic factors, edaphic factors); hence, it is difficult to perform a comparison with the literature data. The majority of studies address the effects of a single or just a few factors such as drought, precipitation, air temperature, CO 2 level, or soil pH [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 ], while some studies deal with only one specific group of factors, most commonly edaphic [ 38 , 39 , 40 ], climatic [ 32 , 41 ] or habitat factors [ 42 , 43 , 44 ]. In addition, there is a difference in terms of analyzed data as well as examined mycocenoses.…”

The gap between mycorrhizal science and application: existence, origins, and relevance during the United Nation's Decade on Ecosystem Restoration

“…In Europe where there is a longer history of monitoring macrofungi (which form aboveground fruiting bodies, a category which includes many EMF), reports paint a similar picture, suggesting that many macrofungi are declining (Senn-Irlet et al 2007). All 22 native species of hydnoid fungi (forming fruiting bodies with tooth-like projections) in The Netherlands and Northwestern Europe show declines in fruiting bodies since 1950 (Arnolds 2010), and fungal ethnoecology studies revealed that 53% of mushroom collectors in Poland report a steady decrease in macrofungi (Kotowski et al 2021). The decline of mycorrhizal fungi generally is more difficult to assess because this category includes fungi that do not form large fruiting bodies aboveground, such as AMF.…”

Mushroom Picking as a Special Form of Recreation and Tourism in Woodland Areas—A Case Study of Poland

“…The information collected on mushroom picking preferences shows that local knowledge generally does not differ from scientific knowledge [16]. Analysing public perceptions of mushrooms can help to improve knowledge about local changes in mushroom diversity and provide new assessments related to analysing the large-scale occurrence of macrofungi and their harvesting.…”