Large scale fungi foraging a threat to Ashdown Forest landscape

With autumn traditionally regarded as foraging season, Walmsley said the picking had become so indiscriminate that even inedible species – which were of no use to restaurants – were being taken.

“Swathes of woodland are being stripped, leaving areas that should be full of mushrooms completely bare,” he said, adding that the organisms play a vital role in decomposing organic matter and maintaining essential healthy soil.

Ashdown Forest’s rare fungi species, such as the endangered tiered tooth fungus, are also under threat from foragers.

This species is on the UK conservation red list for being at risk of extinction, so efforts are made to keep its exact location a secret.

“Taking fungi for commercial purposes is illegal but the fines are not a big enough deterrent,” said CFA’s chief executive Mark Pearson.

Under the Theft Act 1968, financial penalties for commercial foraging currently range from £100 – £300.

Adding that CFA “supports any moves to increase that amount”, he said its team does its “best to protect and monitor, but with a vast area to cover we need help from our visitors too”.

“We’re asking anyone who sees any suspicious activity to contact us,” he added.

Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, external, X, external, and Instagram, external and listen to BBC Radio Sussex on Sounds. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk, external or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.