The knowledge in species identification and biodiversity mapping, benefits forest conservation and management in the Nordic countries. Therefore, an SNS co-funded network organized workshops to pass on the knowledge from experts.
Species knowledge in lichens and lichen-associated fungi in particular is difficult to acquire without training from experts in the field. Without such species knowledge, however, practices in Nordic forestry and their effects on forest biodiversity and the forest ecosystem as a whole will be difficult to monitor.
Why is it important?
Forests are home to a fascinating diversity of organisms other than trees. Some of this diversity, such as flowers and ferns, are conspicuous (obvious to the human eye) and generally well-known to the public. They shape the forest habitat and together with the forest trees largely determine how we perceive the value of forests as a stage for human economic and recreational activities. Other species are less conspicuous but still play a vital role in the forest ecosystem.
Lichens and fungi growing on trees, dead wood, or rocks in the forest landscape are often minute and inapparent. In specific habitats, however, like the boreal rainforests in Norway or similar old-growth boreal forests in the Nordic countries, lichens can be abundant on the branches of trees like birch, pine, and spruce. If common, species of beard lichens in the genera Alectoria, Bryoria, and Usnea hanging from the trees make the boreal forests a mysterious place to be. The name Elfin Forest, or forests of the Elves, is often used for such places. Beard lichens and other lichen and fungal species in the Nordic forests are sensitive to changes in the environment. They are frequently used for monitoring forest quality and the evaluation of conservation measures and forest management. Well-trained researchers with the necessary species knowledge and skills are therefore of high importance for a sustainable forestry in the Nordic countries.
Training a new generation
In the ForestFun network, we created a platform for training a new generation of fungal researchers in Nordic forestry. We organized two field workshops in Sweden and Norway. The field workshop in Sweden took place in Saxnäs. Placed in the lush forest landscape in Västerbottens län, the workshop had a focus on calicioid lichens in the boreal forests. Calicioid lichens, also called pin lichens, include many rare and red-listed species in old-growth forest habitats. As such, they are often used for the mapping and identification of forest habitats worth of conservation measures.

Species identification in the field laboratory in Namdals Folkehøgskole, Grong. Photo: Annina Kantelinen
The field workshop in Norway took place in Grong in northern Trøndelag county.
Situated in the Namdalen valley, the area harbors some of the best remaining boreal rainforests in Scandinavia. Boreal rainforests are confined to the most oceanic parts of Europe. These forests are home to unique species of lichens and lichen-associated fungi, which were the main focus of the workshop.
The boreal rainforest lichens and their associated fungal species are highly specialized and dependent on a constantly humid forest environment. They are largely confined to Norway, which gives the Nordic countries high responsibility for their preservation.
We were excited about the overwhelming interest in the two workshops. In total 29 early career researchers, PhD students and biodiversity consultants from Nordic and other European countries participated. Under the guidance of experts from five Nordic countries, the field workshops included daily excursions to various old-growth forest habitats, lectures, and species identification in a field laboratory.