The changing ethnoecological cobweb of white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico) gatherers in South Piedmont, NW Italy

A sophisticated ethnoecological knowledge among white truffle gatherers (Tuber magnatum Pico), or 'trifulau,' in South Piedmont, Italy, highlights a complex and intimate relationship between humans, dogs, and the environment that has sustained truffle hunting for centuries. This traditional environmental knowledge (TEK) is now under threat due to climate change—marked by hotter, drier summers—and socio-economic shifts, including the expansion of viticulture. The study, based on in-depth interviews with 34 gatherers between 2010 and 2014, reveals that truffle hunting success depends heavily on the synergy between gatherers' ecological perceptions, their dogs' training, and specific environmental conditions. The research underscores the urgent need for sustainable gastronomy initiatives to preserve this cultural heritage while raising awareness about the interdependence of locals, truffles, and their natural habitat.

Pieroni, A. (2016). The changing ethnoecological cobweb of white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico) gatherers in South Piedmont, NW Italy. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-016-0088-9