Abstract
The use of bioindicators to assess the conservation status of various ecosystems is becoming increasingly common, although fungi have not been widely used for this purpose. The aim was to use the analysis of the macromycetes fruiting bodies in the area of a natural reserve and the degree of preservation of its different zones combined with the use of geographical information systems (GIS). For this purpose, quantitative and qualitative fungal samples were carried out in plots of the middle-west of the Iberian Peninsula previously delimited and characterised thanks to GIS during the springs and autumns of the 2009–2012 period. In addition, the lifestyles of the fungal species were analysed as well as the influence of the main meteorological parameters on fungal fruiting. A total of 10,125 fruiting bodies belonging to 148 species were counted on 20 plots with four vegetation units (holm oak dehesas, mixed holm oaks and Pyrenean oak dehesas with different abundance and grasslands). The distribution of the different species, their lifestyles and the number of fruiting bodies in the different plots of the reserve indicated that the eastern part was best conserved, showing that the combination of fungal diversity studies and the use of GIS could be useful in the management of areas with environmental relevance.
Highlights
The sustainable management of forests and resources that can be obtained through them, such as wood, fruit, or even ecosystem services (CO2 capture), is becoming of considerable interest in recent decades [1,2]
The aim of this paper was the use of fungal sporocarps produced in a forest ecosystem as a relevant factor to assess the conservation status of these plant formations, and in the context of a characteristic habitat type of the central-western Iberian Peninsula, the dehesas
The geographical information systems (GIS) analysis of the study area and the field evaluation led to the identification of four main and vegetation units: holm oak dehesas, mixed dehesas of Pyrenean oak and holm oak, mixed dehesas of holm oak and Pyrenean oak, and grasslands of different types and composition
Summary
The sustainable management of forests and resources that can be obtained through them, such as wood, fruit, or even ecosystem services (CO2 capture), is becoming of considerable interest in recent decades [1,2]. One of the most important aspects that must be taken into account before dealing with the management of the forests and their resources is assessing their state of conservation In this way, it will be possible to know the initial stage before starting any kind of action. Three types of life forms are considered in the Fungi kingdom, symbiotic with various plant species, saprophytes decomposing material of various types and parasites on other species in various kingdoms [6] The relevance of these organisms and their lifestyles in the dynamics of different plant formations, especially forests, is well known, favouring the recycling of products resulting from the activity of the ecosystem itself [7,8], the growth of various tree and shrub species [9], many of which are fundamental in the physiognomic and ecological composition of the forest itself [10], and even with a potential role in the bioremediation of various pollutants [11]. No assessments were developed through these studies, that could be transferred to technical teams managing forest areas as a further factor to be taken into account when estimating the preservation of different ecosystems
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
