Influence of some ecological variables on wild mushroom (Boletus edulis) productivity

Wild mushrooms, Boletus edulis in particular are among the most important non-wood forest products (NWFPs) all over the world due to their nutritional, medicinal, ecological and recreational importance. Increasing socioeconomic value of wild mushrooms is made consider these products as an alternative for timber. Integrating mushroom-based ecosystem services into sustainable forest management plans requires understanding of the relationships between mushroom yields and its ecological drivers. This study evaluated the influence of some ecological variables such as slope, aspect and altitude on the productivity of wild mushroom, Boletus edulis. Mushroom data was collected from 75 permanent plots in Bicik planning unit covered by mixed even aged forest. Significant differences were found among aspect and slope classes whereas there were no differences among elevation classes with one-way ANOVA analysis. According to the results lower mushroom productivity was found in the areas of north aspects or slopes between 20-30% with 6.5 kg/ha-116.7unit/ha and 33 kg/ha-333.3unit/ha respectively than the other aspect and slope groups. This study showed that to obtain general knowledge relating to the effects of more ecological factors on mushroom productivity further research efforts is needed for all valued wild mushrooms, in the different ecosystems