A scientific study carried out by the Mycology Department of the University of Valladolid (UVA) in Spain, with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Environment, and Environment, has demonstrated that proper forest management promotes resilience, biodiversity, and conservation of fungi.
The research, conducted in the Upper Oja Valley in Ezcaray, La Rioja, analyzed the impact of forest thinning techniques on the diversity of fungi in populations of Norway spruce (Picea abies) over three years.
The team led by Dr. Juan Andrés Oria de Rueda, head of the Mycology Department, concluded that these practices do not have a negative impact on ecosystems but rather strengthen their development and mycological and botanical richness.
Biodiversity of fungi in intervened forests
Scientists examined soil samples in thinned and unmanaged forest areas, identifying the presence of 1,440 species of fungi, of which 544 were exclusively detected in managed areas with thinning.
The genus Cortinarius, with 26 benefited species, was one of the fungal groups that thrived after the application of these silvicultural techniques.
Additionally, forest thinning contributed to the survival of the Norway spruce, a species highly vulnerable to climate change and drought, mitigating the impact of water stress during periods of water scarcity.
Forest management as a tool against climate change
Dense plantations of Norway spruce create extreme competition for water resources, accelerating their deterioration in drought-affected regions.
Therefore, researchers recommend periodic thinning, allowing the remaining trees to develop greater vigor, reclaim the cleared space, and promote the presence of mycological species adapted to shade conditions.
Furthermore, it was observed that silvicultural practices help reduce the presence of toxic fungi, such as Amanita pantherina (Panther cap), which disappear after forest treatments.
Sustainability and forest conservation
The study, coordinated by the Forest Management Service of La Rioja, reaffirms that responsible forest management is key to preserving biodiversity, enhancing ecosystem resilience, and mitigating the effects of global warming.
These findings underscore the importance of integrating scientific knowledge into the administration of natural resources, ensuring a balance between conservation and forest productivity.
