Forestry England is asking members of the public not to remove fungi from forests following an increase in foraging activity in Somerset, and particularly the Mendip Hills.

Interest in foraging has boomed since Covid lockdowns, attracting enthusiasts and novices alike to the countryside in search of finds. But uncontrolled foraging may be harming our woods and forests as fruiting fungi are removed in large quantities and other plants and organisms are disturbed.

Fungi are integral to a forest's ecosystem. They are essential rotters and recyclers, breaking down wood, leaf litter, and even dead animals to absorb water and energy. Fungi are themselves a food source for some animals and are also vital for many invertebrates to complete their life cycles. Some of England's fungi are so rare and vulnerable that they are included in the protected species list.

Many fungi live on the roots of trees and other plants, known as a mycorrhizal association. The fungi help the plant take up more nutrients by increasing the effective surface area of the roots and, in turn, take sugars from the plant. Some woodland fungi, such as types of Amanita, Boletus, Lactarius, and Russula will only grow with certain trees. Many trees grow less well without fungi present.

Forestry England supports the British Mycological Society's position that everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy the fleeting beauty of fungi undisturbed in the wild. More than 5000 species of fungi have been recorded across the nation's forests, making them fantastic places to see and learn about the mysterious organisms.

Forestry England ecologist, Andy Harris, said:

"The recent weather has prompted a wave of autumn fungi to emerge in our forests. While we love to see people enjoying the countryside, visitors may not be aware of the impact foraging could be having. While one person may pick what they think is a reasonable amount of fungi for their personal use, there may have been several others already doing the same thing, exponentially depleting the fungi at that site. There is also the secondary impact of people straying off official paths which can cause damage to other plants and important soils.

"We are still learning about the interactions between fungi and their ecosystems, particularly the role they play in supporting trees and other plant life. What is certain, is that there is a whole world beneath our feet that underpins the forests we love. So, we're asking visitors to help us protect these places for the future in a very simple way: look, but don't touch."

Foraging for commercial purposes is against the law. The public can help protect the countryside by passing evidence of illegal foraging to the police by calling 101.