Fungi, Keystones of Evolution and Earth Processes

 Meeting report, Linnean Society, London, 17 October 2013 

 by Alison Pouliot

Fungimap folk are well aware of the challenges for a mushroom in a fauna-and-flora-centric world. Along with the trials of rapidly changing environmental conditions on local and global scales, there are also socio-cultural factors of trying to increase public and political awareness of the kingdom Fungi. The Fungimap Conservation Committee and interested individuals are working to improve the profile and conservation of fungi in Australia. One approach is to look at what's happening in fungal conservation elsewhere in the world.

The British Mycological Society, British Lichen Society and Linnean Society of London recently held a meeting, 'Fungi, keystones of evolution and earth processes'. The diverse program aimed to engage a broad audience on the role of fungi in terrestrial evolution; their diversity, interactions and ecological significance; as well as address scientific and political conservation issues. Advancements in molecular taxonomic techniques and the value of fungi in the global economy were also presented.

FIG 1. Ectomycorrhizal pine tree grown in a root
observation chamber on natural soil at the University of Sheffield.
Image © Prof. JR Leake and Dr DP Donnell.

The symposium opened with a journey back in geological time with Jonathan Leake asking us to consider the evolutionary history of fungal-symbioses and the significance of mycorrhiza in driving biogeochemical cycles. 

Bryn Dentinger, head of mycology at the Royal Botanic Gardens (RBG) Kew, then discussed the difficulty of estimating fungal diversity and the daunting reality that fungal extinction rates likely exceed rates of discovery and description. He also explored the promises and pitfalls of next-generation sequencing, particularly in the context of unseen and cryptic biodiversity.

FIG 2.  A tiny selection of fungal diversity collected from an Ecuadorian cloud forest. Image © Bryn Dentinger

Peter Crittenden and Rebecca Yahr both presented cutting edge lichen research. Peter discussed lichen dominance in boreal-artic environments and their role as principal primary producers in these systems. Rebecca reported on her lichen research on the building materials of pre-industrial English houses, lifting the lid on the huge magnitude of biodiversity losses in the temperate zone before descriptive science had really been born. Paul Cannon and James Wearn from RBG Kew introduced us to the role, significance and exploitation of endophytes, reminding us that almost every leaf in every corner of the world contains endophytic fungi! David Minter gave us a fervent yet worrisome update on the current representation of fungi by various conservation organisations, highlighting the commonplace disregard for and misrepresentation of fungi.

FIG 3. Bow Cottage on the Holnicote Estate, Exmoor Somerset. Thatched roofs like this can hold treasure-troves of pre-industrial materials. Image © Dr Rebecca Yahr

In the evening, truffle expert, Jim Trappe, delivered an interesting exploration of how Australia came to be the centre of global truffle evolution and the curiosities of mammalian mycophagy. Contemplating such evolutionary significances seemed especially apt in the room (according to the commemorative plaque) where Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace first discussed the concept of the origin of species by natural selection. However, apparently this was not the case and neither Darwin nor Wallace were actually present at that historic meeting and their paper was read to the Fellows by Lyell and Hooker. All the same, the historical setting added an interesting dimension to discussions on a kingdom that had yet to be properly recognised or defined in their time. 

FIG 4: Truffle expert Jim Trappe at the Linnean Society.
Image: Alison Pouliot.

Following the conference I visited RBG Kew and the appropriately named Fungarium that houses over 1.2 million specimens. Bryn Dentinger and Begoña Aguirre-Hudson share the formidable task of decrypting 'fungal identity', compounded by the subjectivities of interpretation, hieroglyphics of mycologists' handwriting, and a further dimension introduced by recent molecular approaches.

FIG 5: Fungal specimen collections at the RBG Kew Fungarium. Images: Alison Pouliot

FIG 6:  Fungal sculptures by Tom Hare.
Images: Alison Pouliot

Wandering through the gardens later in the afternoon, I stumbled across a cluster of Craterellus cornucopioides towering an astonishing three metres high! Meanwhile up on the hill, giant Coprinus comatus had begun to deliquesce. These particular specimens were in fact woven from willow by sculptor, Tom Hare. Fungal conservation needs ways to access new advocates and the arts play an important role in increasing the visibility of these often less visible organisms, as well as re-enchanting the fungal world. Hare has arguably captured both an intriguing aesthetic while maintaining a level of morphological accuracy.

The 7th of November marks a century since Alfred Russel Wallace's death. I wonder how this revolutionary naturalist, renowned for his unconventional ideas and interest in both scientific and social issues would tackle the challenges of biodiversity loss in 2013. While fungal conservation issues are inevitably complex, solutions are also likely lie in unconventional and imaginative ideas that incorporate both scientific and social approaches.

*Many images available for use, please contact Alison for details. Thanks to Prof. JR Leake, Dr DP Donnell, Dr Bryn Dentinger and Dr Rebecca Yahr for the use of their images in this blog.

Thanks also to Paul Cannon, David Minter and David Hawksworth for organising the symposium. The full program of talks is available here.

Australian Fungus Forayers in France

Text and images by Alison Pouliot

Autumnal forests of the French Jura

Driving rain and wild winds did little to deter over 30 participants who attended a fungus foray in the French Jura last weekend.

France, the home of the world's first mycological society is of course also famous for its prized truffles.  These long scientific and cultural connections have embedded fungi deeply within the consciousness and knowledge of local folk.

Last Sunday's forayers, however, originated from further flung lands including a mob from Downunder.  The mainly expatriate group was keen to see what fungi inhabited the hills beyond the NGOs in nearby Geneva that had brought many of them to Europe.

Mt Mussy provided an idyllic foray location complete with falling leaves swirling through shafts of soft autumnal light.  Forayers wended their way through chestnut and oak, birch and beech as well as various conifers, eyes glued to the ground

Fungus forayers at Mt Mussy.

Although many of the larger fleshy fungi had disappeared by this late stage in the season, the abundance of large old wood proffered an interesting array of saprobic species. Among the highlights were various Helvella species and Thelephora anthocephala. The mycophagists in the group were excited to discover Hydnum repandum.

A helluva lot of competition seems to exist among the Helvella genus to maximise the kookiest mophological manifestation. Helvella lacunosa, H. crispa and H. macropus.

Hypholoma sublateritium busily decomposing a log.

A French echidna?  No, but Thelephora anthocephala is also an extremely interesting organism.

Even the slime mould Lycogala epidendrum braved the cold to decorate this fallen log.

Some lovely specimens of Hydnum repandum kept the mycophagists happy.

It was inspiring that half our group were children, whose young minds and memories retained the names, knowledge and curiosity from the previous autumn's foray. Our canine companions however, proved less helpful with none managing to unearth a single truffle.

The foray finished around the fire with vin rouge and afternoon tea at the home of Aussies, Bron and Nico Lay who generously hosted the event and also organise the annual Australia Festival.  As we left the darkening forest, a conversation arose among the Australians about Abbot's war on science.  A young voice chipped in, 'How silly!  How are we supposed to discover the world without science'.  Oh for the refreshing wisdom of a six-year old and a new science minister in the making perhaps?

Australian fungal advocate, Roman (Banjo) Lay Clark demonstrates how well a tree can grow if accompanied by its mycorrhizal fungal partners.

Time to head home....

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Fungi of Central Victoria's Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands and Derived Grasslands

by Alison Pouliot

Hundreds, possibly thousands of species of fungi inhabit Central Victoria's Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands and Derived Grasslands. Although rarely a focus of biodiversity management, fungi are vitally important to the health and resilience of these ecosystems. 

Many fungi may be threatened by processes that have resulted in widespread destruction or deterioration of these woodlands, especially as they are now largely restricted to isolated remnants. While awareness of threatened plants and animals is increasing, fungi are still in need of greater focus to ensure their conservation.

Fortunately, these woodlands are now recognised in both State and National legislation, including the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1998 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 2000. Various community programs are underway to maintain and restore woodlands on both private and public land.

One hundred fungal species from these woodlands have been recorded and documented by some enthusiastic mycophiles at the Wedderburn Conservation Management Network (WCMN). These are illustrated on the WCMN website.

The WCMN actively work towards conserving and enhancing the biodiversity of the Wedderburn area.
The area managed incorporates approximately 170,000 hectares between the townships of Wedderburn and Wychitella and comprises fragmented public land blocks and freehold properties important for conservation of Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands. This also includes Wychitella Nature Conservation Reserve and Kooyoora State Park as well as smaller areas supporting large remnant trees and rare native pastures.

In addition to various projects such as Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands revegetation, weed control and reconnecting remnant vegetation, the group has also had an active interest in fungi.  In conjunction with Parks Victoria the group has held several fungal ecology workshops in recent years and members have developed considerable skills in fungus identification. The group is setting a fantastic example of working towards including fungi in the conservation of biodiversity in the region.

A selection of species recorded in the Box-Gum Grassy Woodlands is shown below.

Fungi of the Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges

By Alison Pouliot

Only an hour's drive from Melbourne, the diverse ecosystems of the Wombat Forest are a perfect place to experience an incredible variety of fungi. Hundreds of species have been documented and several of the Wombat Forestcare members have contributed records to the Fungimap database.

A collage of some of the Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges' fungal species.

Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges Guide.

Wombat Forestcare has been actively promoting the importance of fungi through its guide – ‘Fungi of the Wombat Forest and Macedon Ranges’. The guide documents 108 of the more familiar local species and provides some basic identification information.

The guide can be ordered directly via the Fungimap bookshop or from Wombat Forestcare and is also on sale at:

•    Paradise Book Shop, 46 Vincent Street, Daylesford
•    Daylesford Visitor Information Centre, 98 Vincent Street,  Daylesford
•    Trentham Newsagency, 41 High Street, Trentham
•    Trentham Visitor Information Centre, Victoria Street, Trentham
•    Aesop's Attic Bookshop, 24A High Street, Kyneton

International Society of Fungal Conservation Congress (ISFC) Report

By Alison Pouliot

The town of Akyaka on the Turkish Turquoise Coast is usually pretty quiet at this time of year, or rather, it was until 75 mycologists and fungal enthusiasts descended on it to participate in the third International Congress on Fungal Conservation.

The congress brought together representatives from 38 countries to discuss issues, progress and achievements in fungal conservation.  Fungimappers, Lyn Allison, Sapphire McMullan-Fisher and Alison Pouliot all gave presentations at the conference on various aspects of Australian fungal conservation. 

A full conference report will appear in the next Fungimap and ISFC newsletters.

Image by Alison Pouliot. Participants foraying for fungi in the local Kazanci forests.