Mycelium Running is a groundbreaking manual for saving the world through mushroom cultivation. The science goes like this: fine filaments of cells called mycelium, the fruit of which are mushrooms, already cover large areas of land around the world. As the mycelium grows, it breaks down plant and animal debris, recycling carbon, nitrogen, and other essential elements in the creation of rich new soil. What Stamets has discovered is that the enzymes and acids that mycelium produces to decompose this debris are superb at breaking apart hydrocarbons—the base structure common to many pollutants. So, for instance, when diesel oil–contaminated soil is inoculated with strains of oyster mycelia, the soil loses its toxicity in just eight weeks.

 The science is both simple and brilliant, and in this book, Stamets discusses the various branches of this exciting new technology, including mycorestoration (biotransforming stripped land), mycofiltration (creating habitat buffers), myco-remediation (healing chemically harmed environments), and mycoforestry (creating truly sustainable forests). With tips for choosing the appropriate species of fungi for various purposes, Mycelium Running is our trusted guide to this newest trend in environmental science:

ª  A manual for healing the earth and creating sustainable forests through mushroom cultivation, featuring mycelial solutions to water pollution, toxic spills, and other ecological challenges

ª  More than 100 full-color photographs of mushrooms, mycelium, mycotechnology in action, growing techniques...

ª  Provides detailed how-tos for growing gourmet and medicinal mushrooms—allies to the immune systems of both humans and our planet. Topics include techniques for germinating spores, transplanting wild mycelium, and creating natural spawn.

“A paradigm-changing book. Stamets’s visionary insights are leading to a whole new understanding of how mushrooms, scarcely seen and rarely appreciated, regulate the earth’s ecosystems.” —John Todd, Ocean Arks International

“This visionary and practical book should be an instant classic in the emerging science of how to use nature’s wisdom and fecundity to rescue the earth and ourselves from the unwelcome consequences of human cleverness.” —Amory Lovins, Rocky Mountain Institute