North Kerry Waxcap Survey 2012 - the Northern Ireland Fungus Group

Site designation is only the first step though as the key target is to manage these sites
favourably. It is unlikely that grassland fungi are identified features in the management plans
for any of these sites and integrating the site management requirements of these fungi into the
management plans should be looked at. Integrating their needs into agri-environment
schemes would be another important step so it is important to know their ecological
requirements. Advice on their management requirements can be obtained from the following
sources:
• Natural England’s Grassland Information Note No.4: Grassland Fungi:
http://www.english-nature.org.uk/science/botany/pdf/FUNGI_INFO_NOTE.pdf
• Countryside Council for Wales’s report on Habitat Management to Conserve Fungi:
http://www.ccw.gov.uk/publications--research/research--reports/habitat-managementto-conserve.aspx
In addition, the Fungal Conservation Forum produced a very attractive leaflet for landowners
on Grassland fungi which is downloadable at
http://www.plantlife.org.uk/uk/plantlife-saving-species-publications.html. This contains the
following management guidelines for grassland fungi:
• To keep your grassland well grazed or mown so that the turf is short. Remove clippings
wherever possible. Regular cutting does not appear to damage the fungi below ground,
but if you want to see what you have, cut less in Autumn to allow fruiting
• To maintain existing field drainage systems where appropriate
• That fertilisers damage grassland fungi and should be avoided if possible
• To try and avoid the use of fungicides or use them sparingly, as they may inadvertently
kill useful fungi or fungi you never intended to control
• To avoid using moss killers since these fungi may form intimate relationships with
mosses and may even depend on them
• To avoid lime or apply it with caution since it may damage fungi
I am also willing to help give advice on any issue on grassland fungi at any time.
Images
All images of species that were taken in this survey can be used by any interested
organisation for conservation purposes. These images and many others are available at
www.nifg.org.uk/photos.htm.
Acknowledgements
Thanks must go to my wife Jolanda and son Luke for helping with the survey work as the more
eyes there are, the more fungi are found. Thanks also to Tom Harrington and Jenny Seawright
for providing records, Johan Nitare for confirming the identification of Geoglossum uliginosum,
JSTOR for granting me web access to their Ireland Collection, Paul Kirk for helping with data
from the FRDBI and all the landowners who allowed me access onto their land.
The financial support of the Heritage Council is also gratefully acknowledged as without this,
this survey would not have been possible and I can only hope that it helps to raise awareness
of this wonderful group of fungi and this beautiful county.
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