APPEAL TO MUSHROOM PICKERS - Pafos Live 28/9
With the start of the wild mushroom picking season, the Department of Forests addresses recommendations to the public, calling on citizens to follow basic rules to avoid causing damage to the soil and the forest ecosystem.
The Department of Forests reminds of the following:
We do not use rakes, combs or other tools. The use of such tools disturbs the soil, can cause damage to the fungus and is prohibited by the Forestry Law.
We do not dig and destroy the ground. Gently and only as much as necessary remove the leaflet and then put it back in place.
We collect mushrooms with care. The mushroom must be carefully removed, without causing damage to the soil and the surrounding area. We only collect mushroom species that we can confidently identify as edible.
We prefer ripe mushrooms. We choose mature mushrooms, which have completed their natural cycle to a greater extent and have contributed to the release of their spores.
Particular reference is also made to the importance of the leaf layer (the natural layer of fallen leaves, small branches and other organic materials that covers the soil) for the forest ecosystem, as it contributes to the preservation of moisture, the protection of the soil and the creation of suitable conditions for the growth of fungi and other organisms. "Extensive and unnecessary removal of the foliage can negatively affect the natural functioning of the forest," he continues.
The Department of Forests emphasizes that responsible collection contributes to the protection of both mushrooms and the forest itself.
