Dispersion of Boletus-Type Spores Within and Beyond Beech Forest

Basidiomycetes produce huge numbers of spores that can disperse over various distances. High spore concentrations are typically observed near the fruiting bodies, with their abundance in the air influenced by the specific habitat in which the fungi grow. The aim of this study was to investigate the concentration of airborne Boletus-type spores in a forest environment and evaluate the thesis that their dispersion beyond the forest is limited. Fungal spores were sampled in the summer and fall of 2022 in the forest, at its edge, and 1500 m away from the forest. The highest spore concentration was recorded in the forest interior, where approximately 76% of the total spores were detected. A noticeable decline in spore concentrations was observed at the forest edge, with a further significant reduction in open areas, including arable fields and mosaics of crops and heterogeneous plots, where spore presence accounted for only 12.1% of the total. During mushroom picking, airborne Boletus-type spores in the forest were unexpectedly high, so they could pose a threat to sensitized people.