Senotajs.lv digital map launched for Baltic mushroom foragers

A new digital tool, Senotajs.lv, has been developed to assist mushroom foragers across the Baltic states of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia. The platform uses an algorithm powered by artificial intelligence to analyze open data from national forest registries and meteorological services to identify optimal forest patches for specific mushroom species.

Developed by Gatis Žeiris, the map evaluates various environmental factors, including tree types, forest age, soil composition, humidity, and temperature. This allows users to assess the suitability of different forest areas for species such as porcini, chanterelles, and boletes before heading out. The tool has already attracted over 30,000 users within a few months.

While the map provides high-probability locations based on biotope suitability, the developer notes that it does not guarantee the presence of mushrooms. The platform is designed to support the regional tradition of mushroom foraging by providing localized data for each respective country.