Less is known about the ecological role of fungus than about that of plants and animals.
History has many examples of overconsumption of timber, fish, and wildlife.
We can not afford to make the same mistake with fungus. When scientists discovered one of the world's largest organisms, a fungus on the Olympic Peninsula, the media coverage magnified the Pacific Northwest's reputation as a land of fantastic mushrooms. Commercial harvesting of mushrooms on public lands has grown in recent years and is now a multi-million dollar business in the Pacific Northwest. Recreational mushroom collection has also undergone expansive growth. There are many compelling reasons to ban mushroom collection in this region.