A Model of the Current Geographic Distribution and Predictions of Future Range Shifts of Lentinula edodes in China Under Multiple Climate Change Scenarios

Author: mycolabadmin
10/10/2025
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Summary

Shiitake mushrooms (Lentinula edodes) are popular edible mushrooms found throughout China with high nutritional value including immune-boosting compounds. This study used computer modeling to map where these mushrooms currently grow and predict where they might be found as climate change continues. The research found that shiitake mushrooms will likely lose significant habitat area and shift northward and westward as temperatures rise and precipitation patterns change, suggesting urgent conservation measures are needed to protect wild populations.

Background

Lentinula edodes is a highly valued edible mushroom in Asia with significant economic benefits and nutritional properties including polysaccharides, terpenoids, sterols, and lipids. Wild L. edodes populations in China show high genetic diversity compared to other regions, making their conservation important for variety improvement and breeding. Changes in climate and environment may alter habitat distributions and threaten the survival of this species.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the current geographic distribution of wild L. edodes in China and predict future range shifts under multiple climate change scenarios. The research sought to determine how host plants and climate variables affect L. edodes distribution and to project potential habitat changes 50-70 years into the future.

Results

Wild L. edodes was detected in 28 provinces encompassing approximately 300 regions and natural reserves. Current suitable habitat areas were 55.386×10⁴ km² and highly suitable habitats were 88.493×10⁴ km², primarily in southern and southwestern China. Under all four climate scenarios, highly suitable habitat decreased by 21.155%-90.522%, with distribution shifting northward and westward. Host plants contributed over 51.5% to the model, followed by precipitation and temperature variables.

Conclusion

The sharp reduction in suitable habitat areas across all climate change scenarios suggests urgent need for environmental conservation measures to ensure L. edodes survival. Host plant availability, human harvesting, and forest cover maintenance are critical factors for species persistence. The current IUCN ‘Least Concern’ classification may require reassessment given the predicted dramatic habitat loss.

Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
Study Type:Ecological Modeling Study,
Source: PMID: 41149920, DOI: 10.3390/jof11100730