Tis the season to see Fungi, fa la la la la....

[Bundle 2]

Thanks david, your years of work on Hampstead are an inspiration mate.

 

If and when you meet Cassian I'm sure he will provide you with his take on the task we face here....no red lists (nor anything equivalent!) no national legislation at all that even recognises the critical importance of cryptogams (algae, lichens, mosses, liverworts and fungi). Very very little recognition at state level (Victoria has one fungi on its endangered list!!!!!)

 

As a continent we have only formally described 5% of the estimated total number of fungi species named to species level!!!!!!

 

This is despite the Eucalypt systems in southern Australia being considered a global diversity hotspot for hypogeneous fungi.

 

There is a real concern that by the time wee begin to understand what there is here it will be too late.

 

The mentality here tends to be that the continent is soooo large that there is plenty of habitat refuge elsewhere....the simplistic banality of this position seems to escape the majority of those who want increased intensive urban development. The continent is very very large but sadly (for biodiversity and the environmental future of many many organisms) the specific ecological communities that are so critical are restricted to the very same narrow strip of land between the ranges and the coast that we are so attracted to....funny that eh???

 

Rant over.

 

Nevermind the rant. We are all human. If it did nt get to you once in while, you'd likely be a bit strange!

How do you see the best way of proceeding Sean? With respect the drawing up of legislation/protection/recognition.

I recall some short while ago the New Zealand govt declaring tree legislation was cumbersome and expensive; that it was not practical and expedient and thwarted development.The removal of any system that requires some assessment of an asset, effectively fails to ascribe a value....Obvious I hear you say. And so it is.

We have legislation here as I n sure you are well aware. We manage to whinge and moan about it's idiosyncrasies as only pommes could! I think there are parrallels between the situation in Aus and the UK.

Biodiversity and ecologically, we are not similar.Land bridge and migration of species is quite utterly incomparable. In terms of the pressure to relinquish property for development however, I believe we are seeing many of the same things. Good old credit crunch! In some ways though, this will only work against us.

I know only too well that the development of the urban environment in Melbourne fir instance, tends to follow a slightly different format.There are similar difficulties however. Lack of investment in the infrastructures design leads to an unsustainable end product. Relying heavily on services that contradict desireable goals re : carbon emissions/green technology/International discussion and agreement.

Im quite sure you will have thought about this.

From your comments ( I am not seeking to hoist you with your petard Hoist with your own petard ) it is not sufficient to eek away at odd bits of legislation for this and that, as & when.

Tim

[sean freeman]

Hi Tim,

 

it is not sufficient to eek away at odd bits of legislation for this and that, as & when

 

I quite agree, sadly there are some hefty bits of planning policy that have already led to some very very serious disasters here...The SEQ Regional Plan tell us we are going to have the Chinese army arrive in the next 10yrs and so it seems we have to irradicate some of the most vulnerable vegetative communities and all of its associated fauna to build new towns etc...

 

I am a passionate Arborist who along with a range of other professionals is increasingly concerned by the failure to adopt worlds best practice in either assessment or implementation.

 

We have some of the best sounding policy statements and desired outcomes imaginable.

 

I note that the credit cunch in the UK seems to have halted a few high profile development projects that were threatening areas of Ancient Woodland, but I accept budget cuts generally will hit the non-essential green infrastructure long before the steel and concrete projects are reconsidered.

 

I am worried that the very impressive plans for sustainable green space development within the London 2012 olympic projects will be very seriously downsized or even shelved completely.

 

How do you see the best way of proceeding Sean?

 

I think the best approach as a consulting Arborist (with my obvious focus on older significant trees) is to build more and more relationships with allied professionals, ecologists, landscape architects (yes I know, I know), engineers, council officers.

 

There is a real danger in feeling isolated and that noone else or no other profession shares our own concerns our own understanding....and whilst it is true we bring something a bit unique to the project table...I am continually surprised by the similarities in frustrations being felt by others.

 

Protection and conservation of valuable ecological communities does not preclude development...it just requires a commitment to not only recognise the value of increasingly rare habitats (Standing large diameter deadwood for example) but to adapt development plans to accomodate, retain and protect that habitat.

 

Cryptogams are amazingly resiliant...PROVIDED THEIR HABITAT REMAINS...David's experience on HH supports that perspective.

 

I'll dig out some nice fungi pics to make up for all my text....

[Bundle 2]

Thanks for the reply.

I think perhaps an aspect I seem to be isolating is thus: Reading the PDF posted re:Richmond Park ( Natural England ) I note that designation is not for the habitat per se.

David pointed out that RP is also SAC (Richmond Park - Special Area of Conservation - SAC - Habitats Directive ) Designation appears to be for deadwood fauna.

Without wishing to undermine the effectiveness with which said designation manages to ensure the retention of vets/ancient trees coupled with sustainable management, Is it not of concern that the process fails to recognise the habitat by default? This is quite illogical? The loss of habitat ensures a lack of biodiversity. The existence of habitat without the presence of qualifying species only lacks a passing of time before there will exist, qualifying criteria. Assuming we get to it in sufficient time but also, we are united in a common, recognizable goal.

Edited July 27, 2010 by Bundle 2

[David Humphries]

Mycorrhyzazazaza........

 

 

Leccinum crocipodium - The Saffron Bolete.

 

Mycorr association on this Old Oak. Which happens to also host Podocypha multizonata. Whippendell where?

 

.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

Oh shut it you Muppet!

[David Humphries]

Oh shut it you Muppet!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.

[Tony Croft aka hamadryad]

I cant wait to see what we get on the foray, looks like its going to be a kick arse year, look at the Volvas on the ash that just got posted! awsome combo, im sick with green eyes at the mo.

 

some truly awsome fungi about at the mo.

[David Humphries]

There is indeed

 

 

The Oak above with the podos and boletes, has a rather interesting arboreal fung on a wound at about 15m up

 

I went up to have a closer looksee today, which has given us some ideas, but will wait for Kew to come back with a confirmation before posting up.

 

 

Stay tuned........

 

For a wee taster, look on the left hand stem toward the top

 

.

[sean freeman]

As promised a few fungi pics to make up for all that text and tribulations.....

 

Rutstroemia sp (Orange cup fungi)

 

Cymatoderma elegans var. lamellatum showy fella, my pics don't do it justice.

 

Its been raining in SE Qld whilst I've been up north, so looking forward to a few walks amongst the FB's when I get back on monday

[Bart]

Think its Boletus chrysenteron, found near Q. robur

 

[ame]

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