A Strategy for the Conservation of the UK's Fungi: 2008 ... - Plantlife

A Strategy for the Conservation 

of the UK’s Fungi: 2008-2015 

FUNGUS 

CONSERVATION 

FORUM

Published by Plantlife International 

on behalf of the Fungus Conservation 

Forum. 

The Fungus Conservation Forum is a 

network of organisations working for 

the conservation of fungi across the 

UK. It has 17 member organisations 

representing the field mycological 

community, non-government 

organisations, scientific societies and 

statutory organisations. 

Fungus Conservation Forum 

member organisations: 

Association of British Fungus Groups 

British Mycological Society 

CABI 

Countryside Council for Wales 

Department of Environment Northern 

Ireland 

Forestry Commission 

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust 

JNCC 

MOD 

The National Trust 

Natural England 

Plantlife (Chair) 

Royal Botanic Gardens Kew 

RSPB 

Scottish Natural Heritage 

University College Dublin 

Woodland Trust 

Acknowledgements: 

Martyn Ainsworth, Martin Allison, Peter 

Brash, Jill Butler, Oliver Cheeseman, 

Chris Cheffings, Jenny Duckworth, Mike 

Edgington, Shelley Evans, Hubert Fuller, 

David Genney, Ted Green, Alan Hale, Liz 

Holden, Oliver Howells, Rebecca Isted, 

Michael Jordan, Sarah Jupp, Paul Kirk, 

Kim Lehoucka, Deborah Long, Jayne 

Manley, Jim Munford, Peter Roberts, 

David Rumble, Mark Spencer, Brian 

Spooner, Jill Stevens, Pete Stevens, 

Malcolm Storey, Jill Sutcliffe, Fiona Tite, 

Roy Watling, Ray Woods, Mark Wright. 

2 | Strategy for the Conservation of the UK’s Fungi

KEITH HARVEY 

‘It was mind-blowing to me that 

something I knew nothing about was 

the sophisticated engineer of all that 

I could see’ Tim Smit 

Monilia fructigena, cause of the very common brown rot of apples 

Contents 

Foreword Tim Smit 4 

Executive Summary 7 

Summary of Objectives and Targets 8 

Introduction 10 

A partnership to conserve the 12 

UK’s fungi 

Objective 1: Understanding and 14 

documenting fungal diversity 

Objective 2: Conserving fungal 16 

diversity 

Objective 3: Using fungal diversity 18 

sustainably 

Objective 4: Promoting education 20 

and awareness about fungal diversity 

Objective 5: Building capacity for 22 

the conservation of fungal diversity 

Summary table linking UK and 24 

country targets 

References 26 

Strategy for the Conservation of the UK’s Fungi | 3

Foreword 

Neil Young produced an album entitled 

‘Rust never Sleeps’. While the memory 

of the music lingers only faintly now, 

the phrase has a haunting quality which 

stays with me and I am reminded of it 

by the invitation to write the foreword 

to ‘Saving the Forgotten Kingdom’. 

The domain of which it speaks is that 

of fungi, a curious word, with echoes of 

death, or at least something of the night. 

How wrong one can be! 

I first became aware of the world of fungi 

when the Humid Tropics Team at Eden 

talked endlessly about mycorrhizal association 

and the dependence that most 

plants of the rainforest have on fungi. 

On closer enquiry I was introduced to a 

revelation; that this tropical abundance 

was made possible through the interface 

between fungi and the roots of trees and 

plants. They were the engine room of a digestive 

tract that transformed the inedible 

but nutritious into a medium that could 

be absorbed. The fungi were the stomach 

for the roots of the trees and plants. It 

was mind-blowing to me that something 

I knew nothing about was the sophisticated 

engineer of all that I could see. I 

described this to friends at dinner tables 

with my clumsy unscientific language and 

they marvelled. Fungi are truly extraordinary 

and more people should know about 

them as they are vital to our existence and 

that of the planet as we know it. 

There are estimated to be more than 

1.5 million species of fungi in the world 

and 12,000 have been identified in the 

UK alone (as against c. 2,000 flowering 

plants). In one small 380 ha of Esher and 

Oxshott Common in Surrey more than 

3,300 species have been recorded. As 

research unfolds we are shining a light 

on an increasingly complex series of 

relationships between plants and fungi. 

‘One of the great privileges in being 

invited to write this foreword is to 

be able to applaud the mycological 

community in their farsighted 

approach and their commitment.’ 


LAURIE CAMPBELL 

Meadows are linked by these 

interconnected plumbing systems and it 

appears that they play an integral part in 

balancing the nutrient availability across 

species, protecting biodiversity. Kill the 

fungi by throwing artificial fertiliser over 

the fields and the diversity is decimated. 

As these relationships are coming to 

be better understood we stand at the 

dawning of a new age. Imagine the 

end of our reliance on petrochemicals 

and a new agrarian revolution based 

on working with the grain of nature and 

you get a glimmer of a world in which 

fungi are not the Widow Twankies, but 

the Prince Charmings of a new order. 

This is hugely exciting stuff. While this 

strategy for the conservation of the fungi 

in the UK underpins the Global Strategy 

for Plant Conservation (GSPC) it directly 

contributes to the Global target to 

‘halt loss of biodiversity’. But it is more 

fundamental than that. Fungi may well 

be the best weapon for conservation that 

we have. 

Based on the 5 objectives identified by 

GSPC, this strategy for the conservation 

of the UK’s fungi identifies 18 targets that 

need to be progressed by 2015 - and 

they will be. With a good agent and PR 

team fungi could be granted the A-list 

status they truly deserve. 

One of the great privileges in being invited 

to write this foreword is to be able to 

applaud the mycological community in 

their farsighted approach to the subject 

and their commitment to collaborate in 

the name of making a real and long-term 

difference. In our jargon heavy world, 

‘joined-up thinking’ is a horrible buzzword, 

but for once, in the world of fungi, it seems 

strangely, yet beautifully appropriate. 

Tim Smit CBE 

Chief Executive of the Eden Project 

2008 

Fly Agaric Amanita muscaria 


Velvet Shank or Winter Mushroom Flammulina velutipes 


TIM WILKINS / PLANTLIFE 

Executive 

summary 

The importance of fungi to the 

health and welfare of the planet is 

no longer in any doubt. 

The importance of fungi to the health and 

welfare of the planet is no longer in any 

doubt and the days of suspicion when 

most fungi were considered poisonous 

are over. Fungi are now being embraced 

and conserved for their beauty, their 

contribution to nutrient cycling and soil 

fertility, as a source of medicines and 

other valuable chemicals, as a food 

source and as a substantial part of the 

Earth’s biodiversity. 

The need is greater than ever for a 

better appreciation and understanding 

of these intriguing organisms and an 

ambitious yet achievable strategy to 

provide a sound framework to take 

forward the conservation of fungi in 

the UK. Given the limited resources 

available, the Fungus Conservation 

Forum participating organisations have 

joined together to co-ordinate their work 

of raising awareness of fungi – perhaps 

the one kingdom of the living world that 

is least widely understood. We know a 

great deal about these organisms, yet 

we also know that there is potentially still 

much to discover especially with regard 

to their conservation. Understanding 

and conserving this large and complex 

kingdom is an enormous task. 

There are three key outcomes that will 

determine the success of this strategy: 

■ Better understanding of fungal 

diversity and fungal ecology so we can 

communicate sustainable management 

practice effectively; 

■ Improved awareness across society 

of the importance of fungi and better 

articulation of the needs of fungus 

conservation to policy makers and 

funders; 

■ Knowledge acted upon and passed on 

to future generations through building 

the capacity of people and communities 

across the UK. 


Summary of objectives and targets 

Objective 1: Understanding and documenting fungal diversity 

Target 1 

Fungus distribution data to be accessible and regularly updated 

Target 2 

Status of UK fungi to be assessed 

Target 3 

Checklists of remaining fungal groups to be produced 

Target 4 

Targeted research into fungal diversity and taxonomy to be undertaken 

Objective 2: Conserving fungal diversity 

Target 5 

Target 6 

Appropriately targeted ecological research to be undertaken to identify the ecological requirements of 

fungi and the land management practices that provide these conditions 

Important areas for fungal diversity to be conserved and managed appropriately 

Target 7 

Target 8 

Target 9 

Conservation actions to be initiated for priority species and groups 

Threats posed by naturalised non-native fungus species to be assessed and action taken to 

communicate and manage risk 

Species status monitoring methods to be developed 

Objective 3: Using fungal diversity sustainably 

Target 10 

Target 11 

Target 12 

Research to be undertaken into the conservation and socio-economic impacts of collection, 

particularly at the commercial scale 

Encourage sustainable harvesting 

Encourage good practice and the sustainable collection of specimens to further scientific 

understanding 

Objective 4: Promoting education and awareness about fungal diversity 

Target 13 

Target 14 

Target 15 

Greater awareness of fungus conservation and the contribution of fungi to our well-being and social, 

environmental and economic viability 

Develop education and awareness raising initiatives by the various fungus groups, statutory 

organisations, charities and voluntary societies 

Mycology to be embedded in the national implementation of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation 

by 2010 and beyond 

Objective 5: Building capacity for the conservation of fungal diversity 

Target 16 

Provision and development of national centres of excellence to support fungus conservation 

Target 17 

Target 18 

Further improve communication between conservation and field recording communities 

Professional training and development of mycological expertise to be developed to ensure that there is 

sufficient capacity for the future 


DOMINIC PRICE / PLANTLIFE 

Understanding and conserving this 

large and complex kingdom is an 

enormous task. 


Introduction 

BOB GIBBONS / NATURAL IMAGE 


With over 12,000 species known to 

occur in the UK, it is not surprising 

that we do not know our mycota as 

well as we know our flowering plants. 

The Amethyst Deceiver Laccaria amethystina 


A partnership 

to conserve the 

UK’s fungi 

The Woolhope Naturalists Field Club, 

from which the British Mycological 

Society (BMS) developed, started 

recording fungi at its forays as long 

ago as 1877. More recent progress 

with recording has taken place with 

the creation and spread of local fungus 

recording groups organised and assisted 

by the BMS and the Association of 

British Fungus Groups (ABFG). 

In the late1990s the first Biodiversity 

Action Plans were published for fungi 

and the Fungus Conservation Forum was 

formed. It was set up to co-ordinate and 

drive forward fungus conservation activity 

in the UK and to facilitate communication. 

For the first time, mycological societies 

and conservation charities have 

collaborated with statutory bodies. The 

Fungus Conservation Forum has played 

a significant role in galvanising action and 

co-ordinating initiatives. 

Although the state of field mycology 

today is very encouraging, it operates 

almost entirely on a voluntary basis 

and there remain huge gaps in our 

knowledge. Fungus conservation 

could indeed be considered to be in its 

infancy. Specific programmes focusing 

on the conservation of fungi are few 

and far between and, at present, only 

a handful of sites are notified as Sites 

of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) for 

their mycological importance. The need 

now is greater than ever for an ambitious 

yet achievable strategy to provide a 

sound framework to take forward the 

conservation of fungi in the UK. 

Existing Strategies: 

Global Strategy for Plant 

Conservation 

The Global Strategy for Plant 

Conservation (GSPC) was adopted as 

part of the Convention on Biological 

Diversity in 2001. It identifies sixteen 

targets to be met by 2010 that are 

grouped under five objectives covering: 

understanding and documenting plant 

diversity, conserving plant diversity, using 

plant diversity sustainably, promoting 

education and awareness about plant 

diversity and building capacity for the 

conservation of plant diversity. This 

strategy is being taken forward in the UK 

as ‘Plant Diversity Challenge’, which was 

launched by the UK Government in 2004, 

and provides further detail on how the 

targets will be addressed in the UK for 

both plants and fungi. 

The second European Strategy for Plant 

Conservation (2008-2014) has been 

developed by the Planta Europa Network 

and the Council of Europe as a regional 

component of the GSPC. The targets 

relating to fungus conservation within 

this strategy are being co-ordinated 

by the European Committee for the 

Conservation of Fungi, the conservation 

body of the European Mycological 

Association. 

Strategy for the Conservation 

of Lower Plants and Fungi in 

Scotland and Strategy and Action 

Plan for the Conservation of Lower 

Plants and Fungi in Wales 

The Scottish strategy (SCLPFS) was 

produced in 2005 by Plant Link Scotland, 

the forum for plant conservation 

organisations in Scotland, and outlines 

10 targets with 37 actions that will lead to 

significant progress in the conservation 

of fungi, lichens, bryophytes and algae 

in Scotland. A similar strategy for Wales 

(SCLPFW) is currently being produced. 

A Strategy for the Conservation of 

Fungi in the UK 

The above strategies provide a sound 

and necessary framework for taking 

forward plant and fungus conservation 

and operate at different geographic 

scales and levels of detail. However, 

there is a need for a strategy that focuses 

on fungi in the UK that will complement 

the wider-ranging Global Strategy for 

Plant Conservation targets. 

The UK strategy will run for seven years 

from 2008-2015, so exceeding the 2010 

deadlines of the GSPC. Progress will be 

reviewed regularly, with the intention of 

carrying out a fuller mid-term review. 

This strategy is necessarily ambitious in 

its scope and is structured following the 

five objectives of the GSPC. A vision is 

presented for each objective, followed 

by a series of headline targets and a brief 

outline of the action needed. 


JOE SUTTON / PLANTLIFE 

Fungus Conservation Forum 

participating organisations have 

joined together to co-ordinate 

their work of raising awareness 

of fungi. 

Southern Marsh-orchid Dactylorhiza praetermissa. 

A unique partnership - orchids need fungi to survive 


Objective 1 


Understanding and documenting 

fungal diversity 

The fungi are a diverse group of 

organisms, with over 12,000 species 

thought to occur in the UK alone. 

Understanding and documenting their 

diversity underpins all aspects of fungus 

conservation. A knowledge of which 

species are present in the UK and their 

status is necessary so that priorities can 

be established. Central to this is the 

effective sourcing, quality control and 

management of fungal data. 

Terrestrial Biodiversity of the UK 

notes, is now available online and 

replaces the provisional Red List (Ing, 

1992). 

A Red List assessment for all UK fungi 

should be undertaken, possibly as two 

separate projects within Great Britain and 

Northern Ireland. All Red Lists should 

be made available online and updated 

regularly (eventually aiming for a 5 year 

cycle). 

3 Checklists of remaining fungal 

groups to be produced 

lower plants 1,000 

higher plants 1,760 

fungi 12,000 

invertebrates 13,500 

amphibians & reptiles 13 

fish 84 

birds 258 

mammals 62 

The ascomycetes are a large and 

complex group for which a modern 

checklist is needed. The first stage of 

this work should focus on a subset of 

the Ascomycota, representing species 

of conservation concern. Checklists are 

also needed for the ‘smaller’ groups 

such as the zygomycetes. All checklists 

should be made available online and 

updated regularly. 

4 Targeted research into fungal 

diversity and taxonomy to be 

undertaken 

Our vision: A full knowledge of the 

presence and status of fungi in the UK 

that is supported by accessible and upto-date 

quality data. 

Targets 

1 Fungus distribution data to be 

accessible and regularly updated 

Making all fungal records available 

through the National Biodiversity 

Network will go some way to improving 

the accessibility of fungal data. Species 

of conservation concern should be 

prioritised for editing/cleaning. Protocols 

should be established regarding data 

capture, entry, quality assurance and 

associated deposition of voucher 

specimens. 

2 Status of UK fungi to be assessed 

Fungal diversity research is vital to 

underpin our conservation assessments 

and our publicity and education activities 

and it is important that research needs 

are assessed and prioritised. 

Research areas that may be considered 

a priority include: 

■ combined molecular and morphological 

resolution of priority taxonomic issues to 

refine our measures of diversity; 

■ the design of species specific primers 

for the detection of rare and threatened 

species; 

■ improved understanding of the hidden 

fungal diversity, distribution and links 

between it and other taxa diversity. 

A preliminary assessment of threatened 

British fungi has been prepared by the 

BMS. This assessment, with explanatory 


Understanding and documenting 

their diversity underpins all aspects of 

fungus conservation. 

Common Tar Spot Rhytisma acerinum 


Objective 2 

Conserving fungal diversity 

The conservation of fungi takes 

place at a variety of scales, from 

individual species and sites to habitats 

and landscapes. There are several 

mechanisms throughout the UK that 

should support the conservation of fungi, 

including the UK Biodiversity Action 

Plan (BAP), the designation of protected 

areas (SSSIs and Special Areas of 

Conservation or SACs), agri-environment 

and forestry schemes and the recognition 

of Important Fungus Areas (IFAs) to 

raise awareness and ensure protection 

of these areas. Ecological research is 

an essential prelude to the conservation 

of fungi. It is necessary to understand 

their requirements in order to ensure that 

sites through to habitats and landscapes 

are appropriately managed. Certain 

UK habitats are already known to be 

important for fungi, including beech and 

Caledonian pine woodlands, unimproved 

grasslands and sand dunes. 

Our vision: Important fungi sites, habitats 

and landscapes are recognised and 

managed in a sympathetic manner, 

maintaining a balance between the broad 

requirements of fungal communities and 

those of other taxa and the sometimes 

unique needs of individual species. 

Targets 

5 Appropriately targeted 

ecological research to be 

undertaken to identify the 

ecological requirements of fungi 

and the land management practices 

that provide these conditions 

Research is necessary in order to 

improve the understanding of fungal 

ecology and the requirements of 

individual species, and to aid the 

assessment of sites. Priority research 

areas include: 

■ developing new approaches to whole 

community fungus surveys based 

on combined field and molecular 

techniques; 

■ assessing the impact of different land 

management practices on total fungal 

diversity and 

■ identifying specific niches and 

particular nutritional requirements for rare 

and threatened species. The results of 

any research need to be communicated 

so that we can readily respond to any 

new findings. 

6 Important areas for fungal 

diversity to be conserved and 

managed appropriately 

The provisional list of ‘Important Fungus 

Areas’ should be revised, following 

refinement of the site selection criteria, 

to include an assessment of those sites 

identified as ‘data deficient’ on the provisional 

list and a full list of sites described 

and published within the next 5 years. 

Through liaison with land owners 

and site managers, sites should be 

secured and managed appropriately. 

Land management policies should be 

reviewed to enable the conservation of 

IFAs. Current mechanisms should be 

refined and the designation, extension 

or revision of the citation of SSSIs for 

fungi and provision of attractive ‘fungus 

friendly’ management prescriptions 

across all agri-environment schemes 

should be adopted. 

7 Conservation actions to be 

initiated for priority species and 

groups 

In addition to conserving important areas 

for fungal diversity, there is a need to assess 

the conservation requirements of 

individual rare and threatened fungus 

species. For some, conservation can 

be taken forward through appropriate 

management of Important Fungus Areas, 

however other species will require more 

focused actions and research. The conservation 

mechanisms included within the 

UKBAP process will be key to achieving 

this target. 


KEITH HARVEY 

Fungus specialists will need to be engaged 

with the on-the-ground delivery of 

the BAP targets in order to ensure that 

important fungi are conserved. 

8 Threats posed by naturalised 

non-native fungus species to be 

assessed and action taken to 

communicate and manage risk 

Non-native fungi potentially pose a 

threat to the UK’s biodiversity, but little is 

currently known of the threats posed by 

them to threatened native fungi and to 

plant and fungal diversity generally. 

Certain non-native plants such as Sweet 

Chestnut may act as hosts for threatened 

fungi and so care should be taken to 

balance threats to fungi against the 

benefits to other species or habitats. 

This should be undertaken through 

liaison with land managers and raising 

awareness of the importance of certain 

non-native species for fungi. 

9 Species status monitoring 

methods to be developed 

Important fungi sites, habitats and 

landscapes should be recognised 

and managed in a sympathetic 

manner. 

Beech woodland provides important habitat for a wide range 

of fungi. Stourhead gardens in Wiltshire 

Monitoring is necessary to assess the 

changing status of populations and 

impacts of any management on both 

threatened species and the fungal diversity 

of an important site. It is difficult to monitor 

populations of fungi since the absence of 

fruiting bodies does not necessarily mean 

the species is not present. Approaches 

to monitoring will vary depending on the 

questions to be asked and may include 

both indirect habitat monitoring and direct 

species monitoring. Detailed species 

surveys may require molecular probes 

to detect the presence of a non-fruiting 

species below ground or within trees and 

other plants. 

Establishing the ways and means of 

assessing and determining conservation 

status for priority habitats and species 

is critical to this target. Representative 

Important Fungus Areas should be 

selected for pilot testing of monitoring 

methods (and of additional database 

development requirements) to monitor 

national changes. 


Objective 3 

Using fungal diversity 

sustainably 

The collection of fungi for whatever 

purpose, whether for scientific study 

or culinary use, should be undertaken 

sustainably. In practice we know so 

little about the extent and biology of 

most fungus species that providing 

definitive advice backed by sound 

research is currently not possible. Little 

is understood of the impact of collecting 

fruiting bodies of fungi on other 

dependent organisms, such as beetle 

and fly larvae. 

A risk assessment should be developed 

and applied to collection activities and 

advice formulated to reduce the threats 

posed. 

Information should be provided to 

Government so that the current legal 

framework can be assessed, reviewed 

and enforced through voluntary 

principles or legislation. 

11 Encourage sustainable 

harvesting 

If investigation reveals any negative 

impacts of harvesting these should be 

minimised through improving awareness 

and providing evidence to support 

enforcement action. The promotion and, 

if necessary, updating of existing codes 

of practice such as the ‘Wild Mushroom 

Pickers’ Code of Conduct’ may also be 

appropriate. 

12 Encourage good practice 

and the sustainable collection of 

specimens to further scientific 

understanding 

A code of conduct should be drafted 

to offer clear advice on minimising 

any damage that might be caused by 

collecting for scientific purposes. 

Our vision: The sustainable collection of 

fungi is ensured through communication 

and effective legislation, supported by 

research. 

Targets 

10 Research to be undertaken 

into the conservation and socioeconomic 

impacts of collection, 

particularly at the commercial 

scale 

This should be supported by a review 

of existing literature from the UK and 

abroad so that current knowledge can 

be collated and gaps in knowledge 

identified. 



Little is understood of the impact of 

collecting fruiting bodies of fungi on 

other dependent organisms, such as 

beetle and fly larvae. 

Penny Bun Boletus edulis 


Objective 4 

Promoting education and awareness 

about fungal diversity 

Whilst this is one of the largest groups 

of organisms which helps maintain a 

healthy environment for everyone, it does 

so generally unseen and unappreciated. 

For fungus conservation to become 

embedded in local, regional and national 

sustainable development plans, society 

needs to be well informed and able to 

make wise choices. 

Raising awareness of fungi and their 

importance is fundamental to their 

conservation. The public understands 

little of their vital role in the health 

and functioning of ecosystems or of 

their wider economic value. There is 

a considerable amount of work to do 

within the timescale of this strategy. The 

aim should be to initially target specific 

audiences such as conservationists, 

policy makers and land managers. 

Our vision: A good awareness and 

appreciation of fungi amongst land 

owners and managers, policy makers, 

conservationists and the general public. 

Targets 

13 Greater awareness of fungus 

conservation and the contribution 

of fungi to our well-being and 

social, environmental and 

economic viability 

Focusing on key target audiences, 

our aim is to provide quality advice on 

fungus conservation through liaison with 

conservationists, policy makers, land 

owners and managers. 

New discoveries, research and initiatives 

should be disseminated to the general 

public via press, radio, television etc 

and links between academic institutions, 

fungus and other conservation charities 

and statutory bodies forged. 

14 Develop education and 

awareness raising initiatives by the 

various fungus groups, statutory 

organisations, charities and 

voluntary societies 

Audiences to target include 

a. statutory organisations, NGOs, 

relevant charities and voluntary societies 

and 

b. the media to raise awareness amongst 

the general public. 

Co-ordinate and promote fungus 

initiatives and events such as the Hereford 

Festival of Fungi which generate interest 

and enthusiasm for fungi. Ensure a wide 

geographical spread of such events. 

Support and promote the work of 

established groups such as ABFG and 

BMS who have experience and expertise 

in promoting fungus conservation. 

15 Mycology to be embedded 

in the national implementation 

of the Global Strategy for Plant 

Conservation by 2010 and beyond 

The development of this strategy for 

UK fungi is an important step forward in 

recognising the importance of mycology 

and giving it the profile necessary to 

further mycological conservation. It 

is of paramount importance that this 

strategy does not stand in isolation but 

is embedded in the conservation delivery 

mechanisms (for instance Biodiversity 

Action Plans, country biodiversity 

strategies) as well as sector plans 

(regional development plans, Water 

Framework Directive, agri-environment 

schemes) in all countries and regions 

across the UK. Taking up these targets 

contributes to the global 2010 objective 

to ‘halt the loss of biodiversity’. 

20 | Strategy for the Conservation of the UK’s Fungi 

PETER WILSON/NATURAL IMAGE

The public understands little of their 

vital role in the health and functioning 

of ecosystems or of their wider 

economic value. 

Collared Earthstar Geastrum triplex 


Objective 5 

TIM WILKINS / PLANTLIFE 

Building capacity for the conservation 

of fungal diversity 

While the conservation of fungi has 

made considerable progress in recent 

years there are very few staff with fungi 

expertise in government organisations. 

In addition there has been a significant 

increase in requirements for reporting on 

Biodiversity Action Plans and Targets. 

With no funding available and very little 

notice, charities and voluntary field 

practitioners have been asked to coordinate 

threatened species reviews and 

provide considerable time and expertise. 

If the UK is to rely on its volunteer and 

charitable sector, resources will have to 

be found to build capacity. 

Our vision: Centres of excellence 

established, and continuity of expertise 

in place to enable mycological skills 

and knowledge to be maintained and 

developed throughout the UK. 

Targets 

16 Provision and development of 

national centres of excellence to 

support fungus conservation 

‘Centres of excellence’ refer to 

physical locations with facilities and / or 

networks of mycologists (from different 

organisations) working together. 

There is a need for Government and its 

agencies to have staff (or access to staff) 

with core skills and the next step will be 

to agree how this can be provided. 

17 Further improve 

communication between 

conservation and field recording 

communities 

Improving the links between fungus 

conservation and the field recording 

communities is vital to take forward the 

conservation of fungi. The provision 

of regular updates and feedback 

and ensuring that the channels of 

communication are open is an important 

step towards achieving this. In addition, 

more support should be given to the 

recording community whilst ensuring that 

their contribution is recognised. 

18 Professional training and 

development of mycological 

expertise to be developed to 

ensure that there is sufficient 

capacity for the future 

In order for the vision in this strategy to 

be realised there needs to be sufficient 

expertise to drive and take forward fungus 

conservation work and respond rapidly 

to issues as they arise. This includes 

both the appointment of professional 

mycologists in key organisations and the 

development of expertise. There should 

be provision of apprenticeships, so that 

there is a trained ‘future generation’ 

of mycologists who can respond to 

conservation needs and issues. 

Work plans should include ‘core project 

time’ that can be called upon to support 

the implementation of global biodiversity 

conservation that aims to halt the loss of 

biodiversity. 


There is a need for Government and 

its agencies to have staff with core 

skills and the next step will be to 

agree how this can be provided. 

Velvet Shank or Winter Mushroom Flammulina velutipes 


Summary table linking UK and country targets 

UK FUNGUS CONSERVATION 

STRATEGY HEADLINE TARGET 

GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR PLANT 

CONSERVATION (GSPC) 

STRATEGY FOR THE CONSERVATION 

OF LOWER PLANTS AND FUNGI IN 

SCOTLAND (SCLPFG) 

STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR THE 

CONSERVATION OF LOWER PLANTS 

AND FUNGI IN WALES (SCLPFW) 

Objective 1 

Target 1. Fungus distribution data to be 

accessible and regularly updated 

2: Maintain distributional databases for 

Scottish lichens, bryophytes, fungi and 

algae, as part of the UK Threatened 

Species databases, and subject to regular 

and ongoing update from 2005 

1: Distribution maps of all lower plants 

and fungi in Wales should be accessible 

and up to date and mapped at at least the 

10km square level 

2: Detailed information to be readily 

available to permit the localization of sites 

for all Welsh lower plants and fungi of 

conservation concern 

Target 2. Status of UK fungi to be 

assessed 

2: A preliminary assessment of the 

conservation status of all known plant 

species at national, regional and 

international levels 

1: Extract Red Lists from the GB Red 

Data books, where possible, for Scottish 

lichens, bryophytes, fungi and algae, 

grouped as appropriate by 2006 

3 & 4: Wales to contribute resources 

and expertise to ensure the creation and 

regular review of Red Data Books/threat 

lists/species of conservation concern 

lists that recognise the importance of 

Welsh lower plant and fungi species at 

international, national (UK) and country 

(Welsh) level 

Target 3. Checklists of remaining fungal 

groups to be produced 

1: A widely accessible working list of 

known plant species, as a step towards a 

complete world flora 

Target 4. Targeted research into fungal 

diversity and taxonomy to be undertaken 

12: The establishment of a permanent 

mycologist post in the National Museum 

of Wales 

Objective 2 

Target 5. Appropriately targeted ecological 

research to be undertaken to identify the 

ecological requirements of fungi and land 

management practices that provide these 

conditions 

3: Development of models with protocols 

for plant conservation and sustainable 

use, based on research and practical 

experience 

5: Offer advice at each BAP review on the 

priorities for research and survey 

Target 6. Important areas for fungal 

diversity to be conserved and managed 

appropriately 

5: Protection of 50% of the most 

important areas for plant diversity assured 

6: At least 30% of production lands 

managed consistent with the conservation 

of plant diversity 

5: Promote the survey of habitats of high 

nature conservation interest for their lower 

plants and fungi from 2005 

6: Promote management of key habitats 

sympathetic to the needs of lower plants 

and fungi by issuing guidance and advice 

from 2005 

7: Promote the survey and description 

of habitats of high nature conservation 

interest for their lower plants & fungi 

8: Promote the sympathetic management 

of key habitats for lower plants and fungi 

by issuing guidance and advice 

Target 7. Conservation actions to be 

initiated for ‘priority’ species and groups 

7: 60% of the world’s threatened species 

conserved in situ 

4: Contribute to the identification of 

species of principal importance for the 

conservation of biodiversity in Scotland 

and ensure review of key priorities for 

survey and research through the 3 yearly 

BAP reporting process and reporting 

on progress of the Scottish Biodiversity 

Strategy in 2006 and 2009 

5: Contribute to the identification and 

conservation of species of principal 

importance for the conservation of 

biodiversity in Wales, offering advice at 

each BAP review and on the priorities for 

survey and research through the 3 yearly 

BAP reporting process 

Target 8. Threats posed by naturalised 

non-native fungus species to be assessed 

and action taken to communicate and 

manage risk 

10: Management plans in place for at 

least 100 major alien species that threaten 

plants, plant communities and associated 

habitats and ecosystems 

Target 9. Species status monitoring 

methods to be developed 

6: Ensure a programme of regular 

condition monitoring is in place for all 

statutory sites and other significant areas 

not in statutory protection 


Summary table linking UK and country targets 

UK FUNGUS CONSERVATION 

STRATEGY HEADLINE TARGET 

GLOBAL STRATEGY FOR PLANT 

CONSERVATION (GSPC) 

STRATEGY FOR THE CONSERVATION 

OF LOWER PLANTS AND FUNGI IN 

SCOTLAND (SCLPFG) 

STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR THE 

CONSERVATION OF LOWER PLANTS 

AND FUNGI IN WALES (SCLPFW) 

Objective 3 

Target 10. Research to be undertaken into 

the conservation and socio-economic 

impacts of collection, particularly at the 

commercial scale 

3: Development of models with protocols 

for plant conservation and sustainable 

use, based on research and practical 

experience 

10: Provide data and input into codes of 

conduct to inform sustainable harvesting 

of lower plants for local or commercial use 

Target 11. Encourage sustainable 

harvesting 

See 10 above 

Target 12. Encourage good practice and 

the sustainable collection of specimens to 

further scientific understanding 

12: 30% of plant-based products 

derived from sources that are sustainably 

managed 

7: Provide data and input into codes of 

conduct to inform sustainable harvesting 

of lower plants for local and commercial 

use from 2005 

See 10 above 

Objective 4 

Target 13. Greater awareness of fungus 

conservation and the contribution of 

fungi to our well-being and social, 

environmental and economic viability 

14: The importance of plant diversity and 

the need for its conservation incorporated 

into communication, educational and 

public awareness programmes 

9: Identify gaps in education and public 

awareness programmes and support 

action to fill them through instituting links 

with partners from 2005. This will include 

extending the apprentice schemes to 

include all lower plant and fungi groups 

13: Identify gaps in education and public 

awareness programmes and support 

action to fill them through instituting links 

with partners. This will include extending 

the Scottish apprentice schemes into 

Wales and to cover all lower plant & fungi 

groups 

Target 14. Develop education and 

awareness raising initiatives by the various 

fungus groups, statutory organisations, 

charities and voluntary societies 

See 13 above 

Target 15. Mycology to be embedded in 

the implementation of the Global Strategy 

for Plant Conservation by 2010 and 

beyond 

Objective 5 

Target 16. Provision and development of 

national centres of excellence to support 

fungus conservation 

12: The establishment of a permanent 

mycologist post in the National Museum 

of Wales 

Target 17. Further improve 

communication between fungus 

conservation and the field recording 

communities 

Target 18. Professional training and 

development of mycological expertise 

to be developed to ensure that there is 

sufficient capacity for the future 

15: The number of trained people 

working with appropriate facilities in plant 

conservation increased, according to 

national needs, to achieve the targets of 

this strategy 

8: Continue dialogue with senior 

management at Royal Botanic Garden, 

Edinburgh to secure a senior mycologist, 

2nd lichenologist, a senior bryologist and 

phycologist posts in 2005 

See 12 & 13 above 


References 

Long, D. and Ward, S. (2005). Strategy 

for the conservation of lower plants and 

fungi in Scotland. Plantlife International, 

Salisbury. 

Planta Europa (2008). A sustainable 

future for Europe: the European Strategy 

for Plant Conservation 2008-2014. 

Plantlife International (Salisbury, UK) 

and the Council of Europe (Strasbourg, 

France). 

Plantlife International, Joint Nature 

Conservation Committee, Royal Botanic 

Gardens Kew (2007). Plant Diversity 

Challenge: 3 Years – 16 Targets – 1 

Challenge. JNCC, Peterborough. 

UK Biodiversity Action Plan (1994). 

Details available on www.ukbap.org.uk. 

United Nations Environment Programme, 

Convention on Biological Diversity, 

Conference of the Parties V, Decision 

10 (2002). Global Strategy for Plant 

Conservation. Secretariat of the 

Convention on Biological Diversity, 

Quebec. 

Woods, R.G. (2008, in press). A strategy 

and action plan for the conservation of 

lower plants and fungi in Wales. Plantlife 

International, Salisbury. 

26 | Strategy for the Conservation of the UK’s Fungi 

TIM WILKINS / PLANTLIFE

As these relationships are coming to 

be better understood we stand at the 

dawning of a new age. 

Scarlet Waxcap Hygrocybe coccinea 


Plantlife International - The Wild Plant Conservation Charity 

14 Rollestone Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 1DX, UK 

Telephone: +44 (0)1722 342730 Fax: +44 (0)1722 329035 

email: enquiries@plantlife.org.uk 

www.plantlife.org.uk 

Design: Liley Design Partners Ltd. Cover photograph: Panaeolus semiovatus. Dominic Price / Plantlife 

Plantlife International - The Wild Plant Conservation Charity is a charitable company limited by guarantee. 

Registered in England and Wales, charity no. 1059559. Registered in Scotland, charity no. SC038951. 

© Plantlife International, October 2008 

ISBN: 1-904749-94-1

A Strategy for the Conservation of the UK's Fungi: 2008 ... - Plantlife

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