Ethnomycology of Yayo Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve, southwest Ethiopia

Aim of study: To gather ethnomycological knowledge from local communities inhabiting in the Yayo Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve (Yayo CFBR). Area of study: Yayo Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve, located in Illuababora province, southwest Ethiopia. Material and methods: Semi-structured interviews involving 1,189 individuals, including group and key informant discussions performed in September and October 2023 were analyzed to assess the ethnomycological knowledge of six local communities. Weekly mushroom surveys were conducted during the main rainy season (July and August 2023) in the reserve’s buffer and transition zones. Main results: Twenty-one of the 51 mushroom species found in the reserve were edible. Agaricus campestroides, Macrolepiota africana, Tremella mesenterica, Termitomyces sp., and Schizophyllum commune were the most popular. Although 51.6% of respondents were familiar with mushrooms and their use as a medicine and/or food, only 34% of respondents collected mushrooms for consumption. Women and children collect mushrooms during the main rainy season. Negative perceptions and cultural taboos contribute to mycophobia. Respondents identified five mushroom habitats and seven distinct substrates where mushrooms grow. The majority of respondents (61.2%) were aware that wild mushrooms can be toxic, and some were capable of distinguish mushrooms based on color, smell, and texture. Most respondents (84.3%) believed that the wild mushrooms abundance had decreased due to deforestation, overgrazing, fire, or settlements. Research highlights: The baseline ethnomycological information obtained in this study could promote sustainable forest practices through training and awareness, which could help to preserve the biosphere reserve, boost coffee productivity, and aid regions dealing with similar challenges.