Insights into Mycosilviculture in Ethiopian Forests: Toward Sustainable Forestry and Food Security

Abstract

Ethiopian highlands harbor diverse forest resources covering a variety of ecosystems, yet these forests are increasingly threatened by land use change and deforestation. Despite their potential to support a wide range of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), such as wild edible mushrooms and soil fungal species, limited studies have investigated mycological resources in these forests. The impacts of deforestation and associated site-specific variables on those fungal species and communities’ composition remain poorly understood. We investigate ecological studies from around different parts of Ethiopia to understand how land use changes and shifts in forest types – are changing fungal species abundance and their community composition. In addition, we conducted a systematic synthesis of existent literature to indicate the fungal biodiversity prospects and avenues in Ethiopia. Specific objectives were to: (i) assess the diversity of wild edible mushrooms, sporocarps production, and community assemblages in native forests and non-native plantation forests across various areas of Ethiopia; (ii) develop predictive yield classificatory models for wild edible mushrooms production in both forest systems; (iii) investigate the diversity and community composition of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) between both forest systems, as well as identify environmental variables that govern AMF community composition; and (iv) assess and provide a comprehensive synthesis of fungal biodiversity in Ethiopia, focusing on their distribution, threats, and conservation across various habitats and sites. For sporocarps sampling, 63 plots (100 m2 each) were established across forest sites. Sporocarps were sampled weekly during the main rainy season (July to August 2019). Soil samples were collected from each plot to analyze selected soil properties, while climate data were recorded for each study area. Expert-guided field identification and morphological methods were used to identify the macrofungal species collected. For AMF, soil sampling was conducted in 45 plots (100 m2 each) to investigate the composition of AMF communities and the site-specific variables influencing them. DNA metabarcoding of the ITS2 rDNA region was also employed to assess AMF communities. The findings from the study revealed that a total of 64 wild edible fungal species, belonging to 31 genera and 21 families, were recorded. Species richness was significantly higher in natural forests (40 species) compared to plantation forests. The sporocarps yield from plantation forests was significantly greater than that from natural forests. Saprotrophic fungi dominated the communities in both forest systems (92.19%). Valuable fungal species, including Agaricus campestroides, Tylopilus niger, Suillus luteus, Tricholoma portentosum, and Morchella americana, were collected. Sporocarps production strongly correlated with soil organic matter, available phosphorus, available nitrogen, and daily minimum temperature. Predictive models were developed to estimate mushroom yield and identify key environmental variables influencing sporocarps production. The composition of AMF communities showed significant variation between forest types, with a total of 193 AMF operational taxonomic units identified. Glomerales was the dominant order, comprising 67.9% of the AMF community. AMF community structure varied notably between natural and plantation forests influenced by both forest types and associated environmental variables. Given the economic and ecological importance of wild edible mushrooms, there is a need for forest management approaches in Ethiopia that integrate valuable fungal species, including mushroom production into broader conservation and management strategies. The synthesis of existing literature revealed that Ethiopian forests hold vast potential for appreciated mycological resources across wide geographical locations in the country. These insights will help in promoting sustainable forestry practices, biodiversity conservation, and enhancing food security. Further studies are needed to investigate fungal productivity and responses to environmental factors across different forest systems and to enhance our understanding of fungal dynamics over space and time.

Las tierras altas de Etiopía albergan diversos recursos forestales que cubren una variedad de ecosistemas, pero están amenazadas por el cambio de uso de la tierra y la deforestación. Aunque estos bosques tienen potencial para sustentar productos forestales no maderables, como hongos silvestres comestibles y especies micorrícicas, existen pocos estudios sobre sus recursos fúngicos. Este trabajo investigó cómo los cambios en el uso del suelo y los tipos de bosque afectan la abundancia y composición de especies de hongos. También se realizó una síntesis de la literatura para identificar perspectivas y estrategias de conservación de la biodiversidad fúngica en Etiopía. Los objetivos específicos fueron: (i) evaluar la diversidad de hongos comestibles, la producción de esporocarpos y la composición comunitaria en bosques nativos y plantaciones exóticas; (ii) desarrollar modelos predictivos para la producción de hongos; (iii) analizar la diversidad y composición de hongos micorrícicos arbusculares (HMA) y las variables ambientales asociadas; y (iv) sintetizar información sobre la conservación de hongos en Etiopía. Se establecieron 63 parcelas (100 m²) para el muestreo de esporocarpos, con visitas semanales durante la temporada de lluvias de 2019. Además, 45 parcelas se usaron para investigar la composición de HMA mediante codificación de barras de ADN de la región del ADNr ITS2. Se analizaron variables climáticas y propiedades del suelo, como materia orgánica, fósforo y nitrógeno. El estudio identificó 64 especies de hongos silvestres comestibles de 31 géneros y 21 familias. La riqueza de especies fue mayor en bosques nativos (40 especies), mientras que el rendimiento de esporocarpos fue superior en plantaciones exóticas. Los hongos saprotróficos representaron el 92,19% de las comunidades en ambos sistemas forestales. Especies valiosas como Agaricus campestroides, Tylopilus niger, Suillus luteus, Tricholoma portentosum y Morchella americana fueron recolectadas. La producción de esporocarpos estuvo fuertemente correlacionada con factores como materia orgánica del suelo y temperatura mínima diaria. Se desarrollaron modelos predictivos para estimar el rendimiento de esporocarpos y las variables clave que los afectan. En cuanto a los HMA, se identificaron 193 unidades taxonómicas operativas, dominando el orden Glomerales (67,9%). La composición de la comunidad de hongos mostró diferencias significativas entre bosques nativos y plantaciones, influenciada tanto por los tipos de bosque como por factores ambientales. El estudio concluye que los hongos silvestres tienen una importancia económica y ecológica significativa, subrayando la necesidad de integrar su manejo en estrategias de conservación y gestión forestal en Etiopía. La revisión de literatura indicó un alto potencial para recursos micológicos en los bosques etíopes, proporcionando una base para promover la silvicultura sostenible, la seguridad alimentaria y la conservación de la biodiversidad. Se requieren estudios adicionales para comprender mejor la productividad de los hongos y sus respuestas a factores ambientales en diversos sistemas forestales, avanzando en el conocimiento de su dinámica en escalas espaciales y temporales.