0000000000446932
AUTHOR
Elena Salerni
New insights on the occurrence and conservation status in Italy of Alessioporus ichnusanus (Boletaceae), an IUCN red listed mycorrhizal species
The conservation status of Alessioporus ichnusanus is discussed considering new insights emerged from the IUCN global assessment. New locations were identified and Italy is confirmed as the center of distribution of this species. According to the IUCN categories and criteria, A. ichnusanus is assigned to the category Vulnerable C2a(i).
Fungal biodiversity and in situ conservation in Italy
A remarkable increase in knowledge of fungal biodiversity in Italy has occurred in the last five years. The authors report up-to-date numbers of fungi (Basidiomycota and Ascomycota) by regions together with distributional and ecological data on hypogeous fungi. Specific case studies such as alpine fungi, orchid mycorrhizas symbionts, invasive species, and the use of macrofungi as food by red squirrels are analyzed. In situ conservation strategies carried out on target species and/or taxonomic groups are also indicated.
Wild and cultivated mushrooms as a model of sustainable development
The natural resources are currently overexploited and since 1992 the Conference of Rio de Janeiro has focused on sustainable development to safeguard our planet for future generations. The Fungi kingdom includes producers of goods and services for ecosystems and organisms widely used in the food industry. Besides, macrofungi are recognized as nontimber forest products and could be utilized as agents of environmental management through weed biocontrol and environmental improvement. Moreover, the cultivation of fungi, in particular truffles, can provide an important income in agroecosystems, especially in marginal areas, along with the development of new technologies to produce novel products…