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Fungi and the UK Biodiversity Action Plan
One way forward is to concentrate our efforts on species groups rather than individual species. This
approach has already been adopted under the UK SAP for rare and threatened tooth fungi. Here a
single SAP has been produced for 14 different species. The same approach could be used more widely
for other species, which could be grouped according to their ecological requirements. In this way the
existing BAP lists could be used to promote the habitat protection and management required for fungal
conservation more widely.
Important sites for fungi should be identified according to criteria developed from these species groups.
In this way, the management prescriptions required to maintain the mycological interest can be compared
against existing management and potential threats. This process will highlight the need for conservation
action on these sites, which may range from advice to site managers to the need to consider improved
site protection. This approach will inevitably result in some shortfalls. However, at this stage the aim
should be to conserve as many important species of fungi as possible with the resources currently
available.
Clearly, several separate approaches are required to ensure that the conservation of fungi in England is
fully addressed. Fungi have very much been the poor relations in terms of conservation effort over the
years. Anumber of conservation organisations, including English Nature, are planning to work toward
resolving this situation in the next few years. To this end several projects arc likely to go ahead this year
which will tackle many of the problems discussed above. The UK BAP for fungi may not be perfect,
but it can be used effectively to promote the conservation of those species listed and fungi conservation
generally.
Known progress to 2000
Devil's Bolete Boletus satanas - species report produced in 1997 (commissioned by Plantlifc and part
funded by English Nature). The report outlines the present status of the species and puts forward
conservation recommendations. Devil's Bolete has been recorded from Epping Forest (Kibby 1998)
and I have also been told that it has been seen at Thorndon Park.
Royal Bolete Boletus regius - species report produced in 1998 (commissioned by Plantlife and part
funded by English Nature). The report covers both Bole/us' regius and Boletus pseudoregius' and outlines
present status of the species, and puts forward conservation recommendations. The report also highlights
uncertainties in the taxonomy of the species.
Sandy Stilt Puffball Battarraea phalloides - a number of new sites have been recorded, including one
site on a hedge bank in North East Essex. All the new records have been collated by the Species Action
Plan lead partner. This fungus tends to occur on roadside verges, often where no other interest feature
is apparent. A number of sites are already protected with roadside verge designations, and others are
likely to receive similar protection in the near future. Where there is no roadside verge designation, the
highway authority has been made aware of the presence of the fungus and is co-operating regarding its
conservation.
Hericium erinaceum - a report was produced in 1999 on the distribution in the New Forest and the
ecological requirements of the three Hericium species. The report was produced by Hampshire and
Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and part funded by English Nature.
Tooth Fungi (or stipitate hydnoid fungi) in the New Forest (14 BAP species) - a report is due to be
published soon on the distribution of these fungi in the New Forest and their conservation requirements.
The project was undertaken by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and part funded by
English Nature.
Essex Naturalist (New Series) 17 (2000)