Mycoforestry

[2][3] Mycoforestry is an alternative to the practice of clearcutting, which removes dead wood from forests, thereby diminishing nutrient availability and reducing soil depth.

Implementing a mycoforestry system provides the potential of improving restoration efforts and the possibility of economic gain through mushroom cropping and harvesting.

It is assumed in a functioning forest ecosystem an underground mycelial network persists even if no fruiting bodies are visible.

[2] Until broadly standardized protocols are created and perfected, the collection of both current and historical ecological site conditions will improve the success of the project.

[2] Saprophytic fungi are crucial to mycoforestry systems because these are the primary composers breaking down wood and returning nutrients to the soil for use by the rest of the forest ecosystem.

[6] Additionally fungal species can be implemented that compete with disease-causing agents like Armillaria root rots,[2] to provide long term protection of the forestry system.

Additionally, the implementation of an agroforestry system performs mycoremediation and mycofiltration activities, cleaning up toxins and restoring the environment.