Abstract
The goal for our project was to develop a foraging map located in the southern part of the province of British Columbia for 3 different fungi species’ habitats. The 3 species being Grey Morels, Pacific Golden Chanterelles, and Late Fall Oyster Mushrooms. Our model identified the potential habitats of these three species, based on a series of criteria we provided for the modeller. We then layered these potential habitats with land ownership types (private, residential, government, crown) to assess the accessibility of some of the areas provided by the suitability modeller. Through doing these maps, we were able to see the differences in geographic distribution of the three species based on their habitat criterion
Introduction
Mushroom Foraging has become increasingly popular throughout BC. We wanted to create a map for individuals who are interested in foraging for popular mushroom species, with our study area focused on the Southern Area of British Columbia. Along with its rising popularity we wanted to ensure that foraging is executed appropriately and with respecting landowners, provincial parks, ecological reserves, and Indigenous lands. Mushroom foraging is prohibited on those sites and is only allowed on Crown Land. As a result, we wanted to create a layer on our map that showcases these areas where the typical forager cannot pick (at least without permission).
Grey morels are becoming more popular with the increasing wildfire activity in the province as they only grow in areas that have been affected by a wildfire, coupled with having a delicious taste. Morels only grow in areas that have been affected by a wildfire because the Mycelium responsible for their growth needs to be activated from underneath the soil by the heat provided by wildfires so the Burn Severity from the soil has to be relatively moderate for the Mycelium to be activated but not burnt (Furlong, 2022).
Chanterelles are prized worldwide for their taste and Pacific Golden Chanterelles are a species of the chanterelle mushroom that grows in our province. These mushrooms are typically found in densely vegetated areas in the Coastal Western Hemlock and Coastal Douglas Fir BEC zones (Vancouver Island Mushrooms, 2023).
Late Fall Oyster Mushrooms are our most common mushroom and are more easily available due to their required habitat conditions. This Fungi species is frequently found on dead deciduous trees such as cottonwoods (Haritan, 2016). Oyster Mushrooms are becoming a more common eat amongst foragers and non-foragers alike due to their availability.
We are going to perform 3 different Suitability Models curated for each of the mushroom species mentioned above. Therefore interested foragers will hopefully find these mushrooms using our foraging map and know where to pick and where not to pick! Our maps will only highlight the suitable areas based on our own analysis of integral components to this fungi’s preferred habitats and may not include all the habitats and areas in which you could find each species. It is meant to be used as a guideline.
Written by Amy Manuel & Isabela Hrehorsky