This research examined how fly agaric mushrooms (Amanita muscaria) absorb and concentrate different metals from forest soils in Poland. The study revealed that these mushrooms selectively accumulate certain metals like potassium, magnesium, cadmium, copper, mercury, rubidium, and zinc, while excluding others. This selective absorption process helps cycle these elements through forest ecosystems. Impacts on everyday life: – Helps understand how mushrooms can be used to monitor environmental pollution – Provides insight into forest ecosystem metal cycling and soil health – Identifies which mushroom species might be useful for environmental cleanup – Informs about potential metal exposure risks from wild mushroom consumption – Demonstrates nature’s sophisticated mechanisms for managing mineral nutrients