Discovery tour: 130 species of mushrooms found on Schellenberg near Simbach!

Discovery tour: 130 species of mushrooms found on Schellenberg near Simbach!

An exciting mushroom hike around the Schellenberg in the Rottal-Inn district put the local nature and its hidden treasures in the spotlight. 130 different species of mushrooms were discovered at this event. The excursion was organized by the “Unterer Inn” local group of the Association for Nature Conservation, which welcomed around 25 nature-loving participants.

The hike began with a warm welcome from Marianne Watzenberger from the Federal Nature Conservation Association. Under the guidance of experienced mushroom experts such as Gori, Gudrun Grimbs and Herbert Brumbauer, the participants were able to learn a lot about the fascinating world of mushrooms. The focus was on various characteristics for identifying fungi, including lamellae, tubes and ridges. The differences in smell and appearance, the dependencies of some fungi on certain trees or soils, and the role of “helmet mold,” which is known as a widespread parasite, were also discussed.

Health aspects and ecological significance

A particularly important point of the hike was the health aspects. Not all edible mushrooms are compatible with everyone - some can even cause allergic reactions. It was also pointed out that certain mushrooms should not be consumed in combination with alcohol. This illustrates how important it is to have in-depth knowledge of mushrooms in order to avoid possible risks.

The ecological functions of fungi were also examined in detail. Fungi are not only responsible for the decomposition of organic material, but also play a crucial role in the natural cycle. In nature, they decompose dead material, promote humus formation and contribute to biodiversity. This is particularly important for the vitality of forests. Fungi that live in symbiosis with plants, such as mycorrhizal fungi, exchange nutrients and are essential for a healthy plant world. The use of natural penicillins from molds in medicine is just one example of their importance for humans.

A look into the future

Those interested can further deepen their knowledge of mushrooms. The NABU|naturgucker Academy offers various educational offerings, including the courses “Mushrooms 1 Basic Knowledge” and “Mushrooms 2 Advanced Knowledge”. Next year, two additional courses, “Mushrooms 3” and “Mushrooms Compact”, will be offered. These offerings are not only valuable for personal education, but also an opportunity to learn more about the diverse species that occur in our forests. Many people are often unaware of the over 120,000 species of mushrooms known worldwide and the numerous species that are still unknown.

Given past events and current challenges in nature, it is important that we develop a good knack for protecting the fungal biodiverse environment. A species-rich mushroom population requires natural landscapes. Therefore, biotope protection is of great importance in order to preserve both fungi and other organisms.

The participants of the hike went home not only with new knowledge, but also with enthusiasm for the local mushroom world. This connection with nature is crucial, and events like these help raise awareness of the importance of fungi in our ecosystem.

For further information about the diversity of fungi and their ecological role, those interested can visit the website of the press and news portal, the NABU access.