WILD EDIBLE MUSHROOMS AND MEDICAL HERBS IN MONTENEGRIN MOUNTAINS AND KATUNS

Jelena Lazarević 1, Dragica Bojović 2, Olgica Perić 3

1University of Montenegro, Biotechnical faculty, Mihaila Lalića 1; 2Galenika Crna Gora d.o.o., Ul. 8.mart 55a; 3 Đulje Jovanova 16, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

ena.lazarevic@gmail.com

Acknowledgements: BiotechnicalFaculty- University of Montenegro,with partners: Historical institute ofMontenegro- University of Montenegro;Faculty for Tourism and HotelManagement Kotor - University ofMontenegro, Biotechnical Faculty-University of Ljubljana, Deptartment ofForest Mycology and Plant Pathology -Swedish Univ. of Agricultural Sciences;Institute for the technologies applied incultural heritage – CNR, University ofBasilicata, HM Durmitor D.o.o. Žabljak

and The Old House D.o.o, Podgorica is implementing the research project: “Valorizing the Montenegrin Katuns through sustainable development of agriculture and tourism – KATUN”, by the decision of Ministry of Science of Montenegro, no. 01-646 from March 30th, 2015, This specific project is financed by a World Bank (WB) loan in the frame of the global project “Higher Education and Research for Innovation and Competitiveness” (HERIC). The budget for KATUN project is 334.827 €. The project started in April 2015, with the duration of two years. KATUN is an innovative research project, offering a new approach to economic development of the Montenegrin mountain resources.

The richness in biodiversity is a recognized feature of Montenegro (index of floristic diversity is about 0.86).Montenegro is characterized by natural and diversified forests, more than 3.600 taxa of wild vascular plants(Stešević and Jovović, 2008) as well as more than 1200 taxa of macrofungi (Lazarević et al, 2011).Forest cover cca 60% of MNE territory (National Forest Inventory 2009–2011).

The mountain areas of Montenegro are rich in forests and general biodiversity. The sustainable provision offorest ecosystem services in mountain region is of crucial importance to the society as they provide timberproduction, protection against gravitational natural hazards (erosion, rockfall), nature conservation, non-woodforest products, as well as contributing to the maintenance of biodiversity and landscape protection. A hugenumber of plant and fungal species are on European red lists, as endangered or disappeared. Hence, theinventory and protection of them is among the highest priorities.

The katuns are temporary settlements inmountainous regions where the agriculturalhouseholds stay with livestock during thesummer season, from the end of May orbeginning of June until October.The main idea of the KATUN project is to create aknowledge ba-se for a multipurpose use of the Montenegrinmountain resources by combining the traditional agriculturewith boosting tourism and protecting the cultural heritageof katuns. Two distinct areas, with differentvegetation /forest cover, and also by their socialaspect (richness in cultural-historical heritage, architecture,etc.) and resources available for agricultural produ-ctionand certain positive trends in development of agriculture(sheep and cattle rearing and production of specific dairyproducts were chosen: Kuči Mountains (SEMontenegro) and wider Durmitor area (NWMontenegro. Important part of forests ecosystemson Mt Durmitor, with over 1600 species of vasularplants, was declared as national park in 1952, andit is on the list of World Cultural and NaturalHeritage from 1980. That implicate specialmanagement strategy and regime of protection.

1. Alpova komoviana

2. Strobyloscypha cupressina3. Velutarina bertiscensis4. Trichophaea flavobrunea5. Lactarius semisanguifluus

(photo: B. Perić)

Objective of our work is to research and document the fungal biodiversity and valorise non-wood forest products in order to develop guidelines for theirsustainable use on Kuči mountains . Best management practice is necessary to be established, in order to provide a balance between commercial usage and needsfor protection. The most valuable non-wood forest products in study areas will be identified. On Mt. Durmitor medical herbs and mushrooms should be collectedonly outside the borders of National Park.

Electronic database with GIS positioning of spatial distribution of forests, plants and fungi are currently under the development. It should enable thearrangement on the systematic way of the existing records about the distribution of fungi in the investigated areas, also as organized imports of all new records.Tree groups of fungal species are of special interest :

On the other hand, wild edible mushrooms, understory berries as well as medical and aromatic plants (non-wood forest products - NWFP) are important sources of income for rural communities. NWFP should and could enable diversification of activities within local rural communities, through promotion and strengthening of traditional products.

• From 2011/12 until today, few fungal species new for science were described in Montenegro: Alpova komoviana B. Perić & P.-A. Moreau sp.nov( Mycobank:MB564288); Kotlabea benkertii B. Perić ; Strobyloscypha cupressina Perić & Pfister sp. nov (MycoBank MB 809574 ), Velutarina bertiscensis Perić & Baral, sp. nov.(MykoBank: MB 812199), Velutarina alpestris Baral & Perić sp. nov (MykoBank: MB 812200, Trichophaea flavobrunea Priou, Perić, Van Vooren & Hairaud, Plectanialusistanica (Torrend & Boud.) M. Carbone, Angello, Baglivo & B. Perić comb. nov (MycoBank: MB561914). Records are mainly from mountain areas anddetermination of areal of those species is undergoing.• Many fungal species, are protected by Montenegrin Law on Nature protection or listed on Preliminary red list of macromycetes of Montenegro originating frommountain regions (Aliance Fagion moesiaca, Al. Vaccinio Piceion , Al. Eu-Vaccinio Piceenioni, Al. Pinion heldreichii, Al. Pinion peucis)• Mushrooms that can be collected and used by locals:, Agaricus, Amanita, Boletus, Cantharellus, Hydnum, Lactarius, Lycoperdon, Macrolepiota, Suillus, Polyporus,Russula sp….

On Kuči mountains three main groups of medical and aromatic plants, as source of income for locals, are preliminary under discussion:• Plants on abandoned katuns or on forest disturbance (regular, frequent, profusely, richly) : Utrica dioica,, Rubus ideaus, Ramex sp., Verbascum sp., Sambucus ebulus,Epilobium aquifolium, ….• Rich, profuse populations which are locally present on wider area: Vaccinium myrtillis, Achillea milefolium, Hypericum perforatum, Geranium macrorrhizum, Juniperussibirica, J. communis, Thymus sephillum• Rich, profuse populations that are locally present : Satureja hortensis, Origanum vulgare, Creategus sp., Primula sp., Cornus mas, Chenodonium majus, Angelica sylvestris, ,Valeriana sp., Rhamnus frangula, Centaurium umbulatum.

Affirmation of plantation cultivation of medicinal herbs in mountain areas are of special importance, also as encouraging and education of farmers and producers.Development and control of NWFP market is important, but also researches on quality and active components of all listed species.

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