The Isla Grande de Chiloé is located at an exceptional biogeographic crossroads: here the Valdivian forest and the Norpatagonian converge, making the archipelago a refuge for ancient forests of larches, cypresses, and myrtles. Under the shadow of these giants emerges a fungal sanctuary equally vital but less visible.
Fungi and Huilliche Culture
Species such as the milcao de monte (Plectania chilensis), the gargal (Grifola gargal), and the llao llao (Cyttaria hariotii) are part of the culinary and heritage tradition of the original Huilliche communities.
Researchers and gatherers also highlight varieties of high nutritional value such as the yellow changle (Ramaria sp.), the beefsteak fungus (Fistulina antarctica), and the lion’s mane (Hericium sp.), in addition to the gelatinous ear of the coihue (Gloeosoma vitellinum). These fungi are part of a network where nature and culture intertwine.
The rainy temperate climate, high humidity, and extensive coihue forests favor the proliferation of ectomycorrhizal associations, making Chiloé a natural laboratory for scientific research and the development of tourism specialized in environmental conservation.
Isla de Hongos Festival
In this context, the Isla de Hongos Festival emerges, which has attracted more than 5,500 visitors in previous editions and will be held again on April 3, 4, and 5. The event brings together scientists, gatherers, chefs, and educators to promote responsible fungitourism in southern Chile.
The festival is supported by the Fundación Tepuhueico Conservancy, which seeks to transform scientific knowledge into accessible dissemination and strengthen the biocultural identity of the territory.
Scientific Dissemination and Conservation
Macrofungi specialist Alexander Rehbein leads the scientific dissemination of the event, translating technical information on fungal diversity into educational processes that reinforce territorial identity and promote the protection of forests against current threats.
Ecological Importance of Fungi
Fungi are ecosystem architects:
- Ecosystem health: they decompose organic matter and recycle nutrients.
- Symbiosis: through mycorrhizae, they help plants absorb water and nutrients.
- Biodiversity and endemism: Chiloé hosts unique species still little studied.
- Bioremediation: they help mitigate pollution and climate change.
- Cultural and economic value: they drive special interest tourism, especially between March and May.
- Bioindicators: their presence reflects the quality and health of the ecosystem.
Chiloé positions itself as a fungal sanctuary of global relevance. The conservation of its fungi not only protects biodiversity and forest health but also strengthens local culture and opens opportunities for sustainable tourism.
Initiatives like the Isla de Hongos Festival show how science, community, and heritage can converge to safeguard a vital resource while celebrating the invisible richness of the archipelago.
