Mosaic forest management at landscape scale to enhance fungal diversity and production, in a context of forest fire-prevention in Mediterranean ecosystems

Abstract

Landscapes of oak (Quercus) forests alternated with extensive fields dominated by rockroses (Cistus) are widespread throughout the Mediterranean Basin. Due to the recurrency of fires and the mycological potential of both Quercus forests and Cistus fields, adequate management of this landscape is a key forest management objective. Although both Quercus and Cistus species are considered super-productive in terms of fungal production and diversity, fungal diversity and productivity vary depending on the stand age and structure. The aim of this study was to assess the complementary mycological potential of these ecosystems by studying sporocarp production, diversity, and community composition to elucidate management practices that would enhance fungal diversity and productivity within a fire management framework. We collected sporocarps over a period of four consecutive years (2012–2015) in young Cistus plots (1-m tall Cistus), old Cistus plots (2-m tall Cistus), and Quercus Forest plots. Our analyses showed that age as well as dominant vegetation influences sporocarp production, diversity, and richness, with young Cistus stands most suited to high levels of sporocarp productivity and diversity. In addition, a progressive restructuring of the fungal community was observed from a large, diverse community in Cistus early-stage stands to a smaller, less diverse but well-defined community in Quercus stands, transiting through an intermediate composition in old Cistus fields. Based on our findings, we suggest that a management process that not only favors stand rejuvenation would achieve greater sporocarp production and richness, including edible commercial species, while reducing the amount of fuel. In addition, the differentiated diversity of the Quercus stands plays an important role in terms of landscape diversity, being necessary the recommendation of a rejuvenation management in order to protect this stands associated diversity. We propose that these goals could be best achieved with a mosaic landscape model to connect the different stages of succession, enabling greater interconnectivity and, hence, allowing the presence of different “fungal stages” at the landscape level.