Fungi and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
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although it is estimated that the hue total number of species is likely to be closer to 1,500,000
(Hawksworth 1991, Cannon & Hawksworth 1995). About 20% (15,296) of these species have been
recorded in the UK. This is a significant proportion when compared against the 1% of the world's
vascular plants recorded in the UK (Marren 1999).
Lack of conservation effort for fungi
Unfortunately, the vast number of species of fungi and the important part they play in nature is not
reflected in the degree of conservation effort afforded to them. It would be an enormous task to calculate
the percentage of effort in financial terms but this is likely to be even more disproportionate.
Table 2: Relative representation of broad species groups in the UK BAP
Species group Approximate percentage of Approximate percentage in
the total UK taxa the UK BAP
Vertebrates