o_19ko2dt161ng2j4e1tgnoqv1s45a.pdf

LEE SU SEE & ROY WATLING (2007)
macrofungi. Some of the measures mentioned in the previous section could hopefully be
implemented to overcome this problem.
RESOURCES REQUIRED
Information on macrofungal diversity in Malaysia is still far from satisfactory. As a first step,
a thorough review of the literature on the topic needs to be conducted together with an
assessment of the collections available not only in Malaysia but worldwide. This requires
time, manpower and funding. Secondly, manpower and funding are needed for field visits to
collect macrofungi from various locations and habitats throughout the country. This is a daunting
and time consuming task as the collecting trips should coincide with the fungal fruiting seasons
of the various locations. To ensure a proper representation of the flora of a particular area,
collections need to be made over a continuous period of several years. Suitably trained
manpower is needed not only to make the collections but also to describe and identify them.
For the short-term, this could best be achieved either by inviting foreign experts to lead such
collecting trips whilst providing on-the-job training to young, local researchers who could
then continue the work later on, or by suitable candidates training with a mentor in Europe or
North America, and in the case of Edinburgh, working with Corner’s collections as the senior
author and Tham Foong Yee from Singapore have been able to do. More importantly,
researchers who have been trained in fungal taxonomy and inventory should continue to work
in those fields and not be assigned to other projects so as not to lose the impetus gained from
that training. Dedicated positions or time available in a particular job for macrofungal taxonomy
must be assured. Otherwise, the benefits from the training would not be realized and no further
progress would be made in macrofungal taxonomy. Facilities to store the specimens, such as
proper storage cabinets and a herbarium are also needed, as are suitably trained curators for
the collections. Molecular techniques are now routinely used for fungal identification; therefore
equipment for such methods should also be available.
CONCLUSION
An up-to-date and accurate listing of the macrofungal diversity of Malaysia is a huge challenge
that requires time, manpower, funding and expertise, not all of which are in place at the moment.
Given the proper resources, dedication and commitment, it can be achieved, thereby not only
providing us with a knowledge of our rich natural heritage but also open the doors for
exploration and sustainable utilisation of our natural wealth for the welfare and benefit of
humankind.
REFERENCES
ANONYMOUS. 1997. Malaysia: Country Study on Biological Diversity. Assessment of
Biological Diversity in Malaysia. Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment,
Malaysia. 186 pp.
BARONI, T. & WATLING, R. 1999. Taxonomic and mycogeographic notes on some Malaysian
fungi IV. Notes on Clitopilus and Rhodocybe. Mycotaxon LXXII: 57–72.
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