Researchers are developing conservation action plans needed to save some of the UK's endangered fungi species.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has awarded Cardiff University researchers a Species Recovery Programme grant of over £721,000, which will support the development of a comprehensive conservation plan for 12 fungi species.
Led by experts in Cardiff University's School of Biosciences and in partnership with Natural England, the project will bring together researchers, conservation organisations and land managers to identify the actions needed to protect the species and improve their long-term prospects for survival.
This award is a significant milestone for fungal conservation in the UK. Fungi have tended to be overlooked in conservation priorities - despite their vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. Fungi underpin most of the processes in the natural world.
Dr Sarah Christofides, Cardiff University School of Biosciences, said: "But because they are difficult to see and hard to identify, they haven't received the attention that they deserve. Our plans will help positive action to be taken to ensure their survival and that they can continue the important work that they do."
The project will focus on 12 endangered fungi species:
- Hericium erinaceus (lion's mane fungus), Hericium coralloides (coral tooth fungus) and Buglossoporus quercina (oak polypore) are among the few British fungi to have legal protection due to their rarity. The project will establish populations of these fungi at suitable sites across England to help these species regain a foothold in locations where they are locally extinct. Hericium species are widely cultivated for food and supplements, and the project will explore whether commercial strains from overseas are a threat to our native populations.
- Desarmillaria ectypa (marsh honey fungus), Bovista paludosa (fen puffball), Battarrea phalloides (sandy stiltball), Hohenbuehelia culmicola (marram oyster) and Mycena renati (beautiful bonnet) are amongst many of the species in the project that are so rare that the first step will be to uncover more about their biology and habitat requirements so that they can be conserved effectively.
- Sarcodontia crocea (orchard tooth crust) was once a common sight in British orchards, but it has dramatically declined as ancient orchards have been lost.
- Podoscypha multizonata (zoned rosette) lives on the roots of old oak trees, and a large proportion of the global population is found in England.
- Hypocreopsis rhododendri (hazel gloves) is an indicator species for Britain's precious temperate rainforest habitats. The project will find out what conditions are required for it to thrive and spread, along with its even rarer sister species, Hypocreopsis lichenoides (willow gloves).
The work will examine the specific threats facing each species, identify gaps in knowledge, and develop practical recommendations for habitat management, monitoring and conservation action.
The Species Recovery Programme supports targeted action for some of the most threatened species. The new funding recognises the growing importance of fungi within nature recovery and biodiversity conservation.
Professor Lynne Boddy, decomposition ecologist at Cardiff University School of Biosciences, said: "This project will provide a blueprint for future fungal conservation work while increasing awareness of the essential but often unseen role fungi play in the natural world."
