Protecting vulnerable fungi

[David Humphries]

Albeit the main event (mycorrhizal association, saprophytic recycling or even parasitic attack) occurs below ground and within the woody volumes of its host, the often short lived fruit body (sporocarp) of fungi are an important part of the sexual phase of the fungal life cycle.

In the case of the rarer species, they & their fruiting environment may need some form of protection from indiscriminent trampling, mowing or even from the heavy footed fungi-booting Arbs who should perhaps know a little better (you know who you are )

 

We all need the opportunity to sow one's wild oats don't ya know

 

 

An example of a species worth affording a little extra protection to, is the Wood Bolete (Buchwaldoboletus lignicola)

 

Listed as 'vulnerable' in the 1992 version of the Red data list of threatened British fungi (subsequently taken off the revised list in 2006, perhaps due to there now having been 134 UK recordings) Although still deemed as a bit of a rare event.

 

When found, it is thought to be associated with the brown rotted roots (and mycelium) of a Phaeolus schweinitzii infection of coniferous tree species.

 

Like most short lived fruit bodies, it is very fragile and doesn't take much to destroy it.

 

Here's a few images from a couple of years ago (including habitat) for ident purposes

 

 

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[David Humphries]

It often doesn't take much to 'hide' or prevent damage to these vulnerable rarities

 

Here a couple of branches placed over the fruit bodies of a newly forming occurance of the Wood Bolete (next to its neighbour P. schweinitzii )

Takes seconds and not exactly rocket science

 

Lets get tuned in to the fragile ecosystems we work within

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[treeseer]

...

Takes seconds and not exactly rocket science

Lets get tuned in to the fragile ecosystems we work within

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Yes recycling deadwood in situ does keep those systems cycling.

 

And thanks for that 3rd pic above; gorgeous golden gleaming, lovely