MONCAYO MYCOLOGICAL PARK
The Moncayo Mycological Park, located in the province of Zaragoza (Aragón, Spain), submits its application for membership in the Fungi Friendly Forest® (FFF) Network. This application is part of the sustainable management model for fungal resources and territorial valorization promoted by the Government of Aragón, local entities, and the local population. With a harvestable area of 12,127 hectares, the park will become a benchmark for the regulation, utilization, and promotion of mycological resources in Aragón, both due to its size and its management system structured around Decree 179/2014 of November 4, issued by the Government of Aragón, which regulates the collection and use of wild mushrooms in forested areas.
Description of the Mycological Territory
The Moncayo Mycological Park, located in the western part of the province of Zaragoza within the Iberian System, spans an altitudinal gradient from 600 meters in the lower areas to 2,314 meters at the summit of Moncayo. This pronounced altitudinal variation creates an extraordinary diversity of habitats and plant communities, resulting in high mycological richness. The climate is mountainous, with cold winters, frequent snowfall at higher elevations, and mild summers, along with precipitation above the regional average.
From a forestry perspective, the territory hosts beech forests (Fagus sylvatica) on mid-mountain north-facing slopes, oak forests of Quercus petraea and Quercus pyrenaica, Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and black pine (Pinus nigra) stands, as well as relict fir and birch forests, and high-mountain shrublands.
This forest complexity supports a wide range of fungal species, many of which are of high gastronomic and ecological interest, such as Boletus edulis, Boletus pinophilus, Cantharellus cibarius, Amanita caesarea, Lactarius deliciosus, Craterellus cornucopioides, and Morchella spp. Moncayo is recognized as one of the most important mycological sites in Aragón and the Ebro Valley.
The mycological ecosystem of the Moncayo Mycological Park develops in one of the most diverse and well-preserved forest environments in Aragón. The combination of deep soils, high humidity, north-south orientation, and continuous forest cover allows for prolonged and abundant fruiting, with mushroom seasons extending from spring to summer and from late summer well into autumn.
Mycological development is a strategic axis for the territory, both environmentally and socially. Traditional harvesting, mycotourism, mycogastronomy, and environmental education are part of an integrated model aimed at generating economic benefits without compromising ecosystem integrity. Moncayo attracts numerous visitors interested in mycology each year, reinforcing the need for orderly and responsible management.
Downloadable Documents
In this section, you will find downloadable documents containing all the necessary information about the Moncayo Mycological Park, including governance and management structure, research and innovation, Fungi Friendly Forest (FFF)® criteria, references, and other relevant information.
