New Field Study to Assess Whether Mushrooms Can Aid Jemez Reforestation
Large chunks of New Mexico’s forests, including the Jemez mountains, have been devastated by wildfire. Reforestation is a growing need. However, under current forest management practices, only 0-20% of seedlings planted into severely burned sites typically survive. Natural regeneration is often absent. The UNM Biology Department is conducting field research to determine to what extent, if any, mushrooms can aid in reforestation by enhancing seedling growth and survival.
An experiment has begun on the Lucky 14 Ranch, a private game preserve, owned and operated by Dave and Barbara Menicucci. It is located about two miles south of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The ranch has been burned twice, first in 2011 in the Conchas fire and again last year in the Pelado fire, killing all the confers.
The new research program will monitor conifer seedlings that have been planted on the ranch, some of which are adjacent to logs that are inoculated with mycelia of either oyster mushrooms (white-rot decay strategy) or the red-belted polypore (brown-rot decay strategy). The theory is that rotting organic material will improve water infiltration and holding capacity and thereby boost seedling survival under the warming and drying climate scenario of today and tomorrow.
In 2022, 72 seedlings were planted on the ranch. Researchers have begun monitoring them and will be recording their growth over the upcoming years. Additional seedlings will be planted and monitored annually. Each seedling location is a test site, as shown in this map of the 14-acre ranch.
An experiment has begun on the Lucky 14 Ranch, a private game preserve, owned and operated by Dave and Barbara Menicucci. It is located about two miles south of the Valles Caldera National Preserve. The ranch has been burned twice, first in 2011 in the Conchas fire and again last year in the Pelado fire, killing all the confers.
The new research program will monitor conifer seedlings that have been planted on the ranch, some of which are adjacent to logs that are inoculated with mycelia of either oyster mushrooms (white-rot decay strategy) or the red-belted polypore (brown-rot decay strategy). The theory is that rotting organic material will improve water infiltration and holding capacity and thereby boost seedling survival under the warming and drying climate scenario of today and tomorrow.
In 2022, 72 seedlings were planted on the ranch. Researchers have begun monitoring them and will be recording their growth over the upcoming years. Additional seedlings will be planted and monitored annually. Each seedling location is a test site, as shown in this map of the 14-acre ranch.
Lee Taylor, a Professor and mycologist at UNM, is the lead researcher. Dave Menicucci, a semi-retired research engineer from Sandia Labs and UNM, is a member of the research team.