The Department of Forests has called on the public to gather wild mushrooms responsibly as the picking season gets under way, warning that careless methods can harm the forest floor and the fungi themselves.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, the department said simple, careful actions could help preserve the health of Cyprus’s forests and ensure mushrooms continue to grow for future generations.
It reminded pickers not to use rakes, “combs” or other tools, saying they disturb the soil, can damage the fungus and are banned under the Forests Law.
Pickers should also avoid digging or damaging the ground, the department said, advising them to gently move aside only as much leaf litter as necessary and then put it back in place.
Mushrooms should be removed carefully without harming the soil or surrounding area, it said, and only species that pickers can identify with certainty as edible should be collected.
The department also advised people to choose mature mushrooms, which have largely completed their natural cycle and have released their spores.
The statement stressed the importance of leaf litter, the natural layer of fallen leaves, small twigs and other organic material covering the forest floor. It said the layer retains moisture and protects the soil, provides shelter and food for small organisms and insects, and helps maintain the right conditions for fungi to grow.
Extensive and unnecessary removal of leaf litter could harm the natural functioning of the forest, it warned.
The department said responsible picking protects the mushrooms, the soil and the wider forest ecosystem.
It added: “Protecting the forest is everyone’s responsibility.”
