In 1989, a standing forest in Finland was burnt for restoration purposes. It was a first in Finland – and perhaps in the whole of Europe. Collections of wood-decaying polypore fungi were studied on the burn site, beginning a year before the fire and continuing for 33 years after. It is likely that the number of species observed during the study period was a record for any one-hectare forest area in Finland. Several red-listed species were found and in general, the effects of burning appeared to have a positive effect on polypore diversity.

Kaisa Junninen works as a senior specialist on species conservation at Metsähallitus Parks & Wildlife Finland. She is a forest ecologist who has specialized in polypore fungi, deadwood ecology and natural forests, and has been in charge of red-listing polypore fungi in Finland. She is featured in Considering Fungi, Episode 1: Facilitating Habitat Formation in Boreal Forests

CONSIDERING FUNGI – Ep.1 Facilitating Habitat Formation in Boreal Forests from Lichenized Productions on Vimeo.