The JoNeF Project (Joint Network for Wild Fungi) is an initiative promoted by ISPRA to advance the knowledge and conservation of macrofungi in Europe. Presented to the IMPEL network (European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law) in November 2022, it was approved by the General Assembly on June 8, 2023, and officially launched in July 2023.

Why is the JoNeF Project important?
In recent years, awareness of the importance of fungi as an integral part of biodiversity has grown significantly. Despite their crucial role in ecosystems, fungi are often overlooked in environmental policies, which traditionally focus on animals and plants.

JoNeF aims to address this gap by promoting the integration of fungi:

• • Into biodiversity monitoring plans;
  • Into European legislation for nature conservation;
  • Into decision-making processes for a more inclusive conservation strategy.

Main Objectives

The JoNeF Project aims to:

• • Integrate fungi into European legislation and environmental policies, promoting their recognition as fundamental components of biodiversity;
  • Define common procedures for the census and monitoring of macrofungi at the European level;
  • Establish a collaborative network among national institutions, ministries, mycological associations, and universities;
  • Promote the collection of harmonized, interoperable, and comparable data across EU countries;
  • Support strategies that enhance the role of fungi in ecosystems and their natural habitats.

The IMPEL network provides an ideal framework to foster cooperation among diverse stakeholders and ensure the exchange of experiences and best practices.

Project References and Inspirations

JoNeF draws inspiration from key legislative frameworks and international initiatives, including:

• • The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which serves as the primary regulatory framework;
  • The activities of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), including the Fungal Conservation Committee, the Fungal Specialist Group, and the Global Fungal Red List Initiative;
  • The FFF Initiative – Fauna Flora Funga, which advocates for recognizing fungi as an essential component of biodiversity;
  • The activities of EMA (European Mycological Association) and ECCF (European Council for the Conservation of Fungi);
  • The letter published in Science by J. Sills, “Include macrofungi in biodiversity targets”;
  • The open letter from the European Forest Institute (EFI), highlighting the crucial role of fungi in biodiversity conservation (December 14, 2022);
  • The initiatives of the Network for the Study of Mycological Diversity (NMD) by ISPRA, which launched a national census of fungi and developed the Fungi Information System (SIF).

Moving Forward with JoNeF

JoNeF represents a significant step toward increasing awareness and action for the conservation of fungi and their habitats. Through a collaborative approach involving stakeholders across Europe, the project aims to ensure that fungi receive the recognition they deserve, contributing to a truly comprehensive and inclusive conservation strategy.