Autumn is often the season when forests and meadows are filled with mushrooms. But why do they primarily appear at this time of year? The answer lies in a combination of factors related to weather conditions, the biology of mushrooms, and their role in the ecosystem.
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Mushrooms are not plants, but organisms belonging to their own kingdom, Fungi. Unlike plants, which make their food through photosynthesis, mushrooms obtain their nutrients by decomposing organic matter, like dead leaves or rotting wood. This process is facilitated by the cool and wet conditions typical of autumn.
After summer, the temperature begins to drop, and the air becomes more humid due to autumn rains. These conditions are ideal for mushroom growth. Moderate temperatures, often between 50 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit (10 and 20 degrees Celsius), along with humidity, allow mushroom spores, the equivalent of seeds in plants, to germinate and develop.
The life cycle of mushrooms largely remains invisible to the naked eye, as the majority of their structure is underground in the form of mycelium, a network of filaments that explores the soil in search of organic material to decompose. When conditions are favorable—sufficient moisture and temperature—the mycelium produces reproductive organs, the mushrooms we see on the surface.
Fallen leaves and other plant debris during this season also provide an abundance of organic material for mushrooms. These organisms play an essential role in the ecosystem by recycling these materials, turning dead leaves into nutrients that enrich the soil.
Thus, the massive appearance of mushrooms in autumn is the result of the combination of cool, wet weather conditions and the availability of organic material to decompose. Their growth is closely linked to the natural cycles of the forest ecosystem.