Mushrooms in Forests and Woodlands: Resource Management, Values and Local Livelihoods

'This latest addition to the People and Plants series fills a largely overlooked gap in conservation - the dietary, medicinal and economic importance of wild fungi, supporting the livelihoods of large numbers of rural people, and potentially providing a motivational foundation for conservation of the forest and woodland habitats in which the fungi occur. Every conservationist and development worker, engaged with communities which are dependent on these resources, should have this book in their hands.' -Alan Hamilton, Originator of the People and Plants book series 'Fungi play critical roles in the health and sustainability of forests, and the collection of fruiting-bodies (e.g. mushrooms and truffles) of many fungus species provides an important source of income for diverse peoples around the world. This book provides a comprehensive understanding of the ecology and ecosystem importance of forest fungi and how they are valued by society, particularly the income produced from the commercial collection of wild mushrooms. Most importantly, the multidisciplinary array of authors provide practical insights into conservation strategies to protect and sustain this valuable natural resource that include diverse monitoring approaches, and use of traditional knowledge and citizen participation. This book will be a valuable reference for conservation biologists and natural resource managers world-wide on how to integrate the fungal kingdom, including its myriad species, ecosystems functions, and income values, into ongoing and future biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource programs.' -Randy Molina, Mycologist and Botanist and Co-Managing Editor, Mycorrhiza 'Cunningham and Yang have successfully brought together the ethnobiology, trade, ecology and sustainable management of mushrooms to provide us with an integrated approach to understanding the links between mushrooms, local livelihoods and conservation. A fantastic and much needed resource for students, managers, researchers and anyone else interested in the use and conservation of wild mushrooms and their habitats.' -Dr Tamara Ticktin, University of Hawai'i at Manoa 'The book will be useful to anyone interested in ethnomycology and the economic importance of mushrooms in general. Each chapter is well illustrated, with many information boxes and tables. Extensive references provide the opportunity for further research; a very thorough index completes the volume... Recommended.' -CHOICE, July 2011 'This is not a book in which to look for answers, but rather one which flags up the questions and provides pointers for future assessments and research – with extensive references to the primary literature. As such, it deserves attention from all concerned with issues around wild mushroom harvesting, economics, and sustainability.'- IMA Fungus