2006 Fungi of Fingal Woodlands - Fingal Biodiversity

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Ecological Study of the Countryside Habitats in County Fingal Woodland fungi • The Grassland fungi: Newbridge could be an excellent study site for grassland fungi as it hosts a wide range of Hygrocybe and Agaricus species • The ecology of Birch Polypore: Piptoporus betulinus is at Howth and it kills Birch trees. A better understanding of this species would help with management of Birch as a forest tree. Ivy can have a serious impact on fungi and lichen diversity. In Ireland, we have yet to replace anecdote with data in regard to Ivy and its overall influence on diversity in our woods and hedgerows and accordingly, research into this topic would be most beneficial. Accordingly, it is recommended that comparative research is carried out in Newbridge Demesne and St. Catherine’s between Ivied sections of the woodland and those without Ivy for lichen and fungi diversity. 5.3 Education & Training Ardgillan was the only park where both staff and visitors engaged the surveyor in conversation about fungi. The head gardener at Ardgillan are very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about fungal health in the site. Perhaps specific training and support for her initiatives could build on the strong base of staff awareness. Howth was the focus of attention this Autumn when Dr. Paul Dowding (retired, TCD) led a group of 70 people to look for edible fungi on 22nd October 2006. The meeting was organised by Slow Food Ireland and demonstrates the interest in wild fungi as a food source. Perhaps school visits and forays can be organised to satisfy that interest. A deadly poisonous species – Amanita phalloides (Death cap) grows singly and in clusters. One notable group was located opposite the gate to Walled garden, near a main path at Ardgillan. Yellow blushing Agaricus xanthodermus are common at Ardgillan. While they are not deadly poisonous, they will make people ill and can look just like the edible Agaricus campestris. Highlighting awareness of fungi brings a responsibility to educate about the potential dangers of fungi. 5.4 Grassland fungi Field mushrooms have a large area of lawn in which to grow. Although the range of species is limited, the lawns could with time develop more interesting fungal floras. The presence of Hygrocybe species (Wax caps) in the lawns show that fertilizers, pesticides and fungicides have not been applied in significant amounts. Hygrocybe diversity is used as a way of identifying unimproved grasslands of conservation value. The biodiversity of grassy areas could be enhanced by animal grazing or by spreading manure. Horses are particularly rewarding for their associated dung fungi. Cutting regimes of grass could be varied so that matting of grass roots does not occur all over the site. Physical break up of grass mats can assist fungi that have not fruited in some time. 26
Ecological Study of the Countryside Habitats in County Fingal Woodland fungi Chapter 6 Conclusions The survey of Newbridge, Ardgillan, Howth and St. Catherines Demesnes gives a first impression of the species of fungi growing in Fingal. 237 different species of Fungi were recorded in the course of the survey. 64 of these species were new records for County Dublin. Optimal woodland mushroom habitat with lots of fruit body production is usually in Ivy-free situations, deep litter beds and mossy turf, or in short grass under mycorrhizal trees. Within Newbridge, Ardgillan and St. Catherine’s Ivy seems to have a negative impact on the fungi and lichen diversity. Ivy coverage is less of a problem in Howth Demesne. Geology is another factor influencing fungal diversity. Newbridge, Ardgillan and St. Catherine’s are situated on calcareous soils, while Howth is situated on acids soils. The geology determines the soil chemistry and to a certain extent the flora of a site, which in turn affect the fungal diversity. The study showed that Oak, Beech, Birch, Ash and Sycamore are important to fungi in the sites. St. Catherine’s has more species associated with Beech than anywhere else. Howth is significant for species associated with Birch. This influence of tree populations on mushroom floristics has not been clearly demonstrated before in the Irish context. The study found that Hazel is no longer a significant understorey bush in the woods surveyed and that this species should be actively encouraged in woodlands. The most important threats to fungal and lichen diversity in the woodlands of Fingal are increased ground & tree coverage of Ivy, trampling, over-harvesting of mushrooms, air & water pollution, tree pruning & felling and the spread of aggressive fungi such as Honey fungus. The conservation status of the fungi encountered during this study is currently unknown. A poor knowledge of fungal distribution in Ireland means that it is difficult to say whether a particular species is regionally or nationally rare. Many species have been encountered only once, and consequently are rare according to this and previous surveys. How meaningful this is in a regional context is unclear, due to the unpredictability of fungal fruit body occurrence. More survey work will be needed around the country to address this issue. Details of what fungi were encountered are of great interest to those people with a moderate ability in species identification of fungi. There are always surprises and occasionally severe identification challenges with fungi. This challenge is a daily one for even the most experienced mycologist, and it forms much of the fun. With digital cameras, global positioning systems and modern maps, we have the means to document the question of what lives where in a more precise way than previous generations of mycologists. The why questions still require imagination. For conservation to succeed, we need to leave information that encourages, stimulates and facilitates future enquiry. 27
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2006 Fungi of Fingal Woodlands - Fingal Biodiversity

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