Mycelium Running is a manual for the mycological rescue of the planet. That s right: growing
more mushrooms may be the best thing we can do to save the environment and in this
groundbreaking text from mushroom expert Paul Stamets you ll find out how. The basic science
goes like this: Microscopic cells called mycelium --the fruit of which are mushrooms--recycle
carbon nitrogen and other essential elements as they break down plant and animal debris in
the creation of rich new soil. What Stamets has discovered is that we can capitalize on
mycelium s digestive power and target it to decompose toxic wastes and pollutants
(mycoremediation) catch and reduce silt from streambeds and pathogens from agricultural
watersheds (mycofiltration) control insect populations (mycopesticides) and generally enhance
the health of our forests and gardens (mycoforestry and myco-gardening). In this comprehensive
guide you ll find chapters detailing each of these four exciting branches of what Stamets has
coined mycorestoration as well as chapters on the medicinal and nutritional properties of
mushrooms inoculation methods log and stump culture and species selection for various
environmental purposes. Heavily referenced and beautifully illustrated this book is destined
to be a classic reference for bemushroomed generations to come.
