Objectives

Mediterranean forests are currently facing an onslaught of biotic and abiotic stressors. The most prevalent abiotic stress currently is drought. Looking towards the future, climate change models show that the Mediterranean will be exposed to more frequent and severe droughts, which can in turn exacerbate other stressors such as forest fires. As climate change (CC) alters meteorological patterns, forest fire risk will rise. Growing rural abandonment implies a decrease in the practice of traditional silviculture which historically aided in mitigating fire risk. In the last year, more than 200 people have died, over 100,000 hectares have burned, and billions of euros have been spent on forest fires in Europe. As these fires burn, they destroy the homes and lives of humans and wildlife, and release thousands of tons of carbon that are stored in plants and soils into the atmosphere.

These plants are also affected by biotic stressors, including a variety of pests and pathogens which weaken and kill forest flora. Weakened plants are susceptible to other biotic and abiotic stressors which ultimately places the health and existence of the whole forest ecosystem at risk. These MED forests serve as biodiversity refuges and important carbon sinks. As a keystone species, fungi –a fundamental biodiversity pillar – both below the ground (mycelia) and above the ground (mushrooms) support numerous ecosystem services and may serve as a defining tool for forests to adapt to CC.

LIFE MycoRestore seeks to utilize diverse mycological resources and forest management practices to add value to and aid in the biological resilience of forests in Spain, Italy, and Portugal, generating new sources of income and ensuring the stability of forest ecosystem services while addressing the effects of CC.

 

MycoForestry

Demonstrate sustainable mycological and forestry management practices for wildfire & drought-resistant forests.

MycoEconomy

Promote green jobs for people at risk of social exclusion by training them to replace traditionally low-value biomass production with high skilled work: processing wood and producing innovative high value mushrooms. It will demonstrate a circular economy approach to mycelium & mushroom production supply chains, stimulating rural economies.

MycoControl

Provide proof of concept on the use of natural myco-control products and native fungal species for reduced pest/pathogen presence in forests.

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LIFE18 CCA/ES/001110

“Innovative use of mycological resources for resilient and productive mediterranean forests threatened by climate change”

Location

C/ Cordel de merinas, 40-52

37008 Salamanca, Spain

Contact: