Conservation of fungi
Fungi are considered to be in urgent need of conservation by the British Mycological Society on the grounds that it is a traditionally neglected taxon which has legal protection in few countries.[1] Current threats to fungi include destruction of forests worldwide, fragmentation of habitat, changes in land use, pollution, anthropogenic climate change and over-exploitation of commercially attractive species.[1]
The Species Survival Commission of the IUCN has five specialist groups dealing with the conservation of fungi:[2]
- Chytrid, Zygomycete, Downy Mildew and Slime Mold Specialist Group
- Cup-fungus, Truffle and Ally Specialist Group
- Lichen Specialist Group
- Mushroom, Bracket and Puffball Specialist Group
- Rust and Smut Specialist Group
Lack of knowledge is considered a major concern with a general paucity of comprehensive checklists, even for developed nations. In addition, the criteria for "red-listing" is not specifically designed for fungi and the kinds of data required, viz. population size, lifespan, spatial distribution and population dynamics are poorly known for most fungi. As a result in practice, indicator species are identified as target foci for the conservation of threatened fungi.[3]
