|
Registered Charity
1071012
|
25th
November 2002
A recent survey at the National Trust’s Hatfield Forest has turned up
some important species.
For further information
Pictures: click to enlarge
Ganoderma pfeifferi on Beech
|
|
Recent surveys at Hatfield Forest by Ted Green
and Alan Lucas, have revealed some exceptional fungi. Of the rare species
recorded, 2 are on the UK Red Data List and 9 are on the European Red List
making Hatfield a site of International importance for its fungal
populations. The importance of decaying wood of ancient trees for wood
decomposing fungi such as Ganoderma pfeifferi and G. lucidum and Hericium (Creolophus)
cirrhatus, is of immense value in that it provides a habitat essential for
the fruiting of many species that are simply not seen on younger dead wood.
Furthermore the recording of five different Ganoderma species (perennial
bracket fungi) from one site is remarkable.
The surveyors found several species (Junghuhnia separabilima and Phellinus
cavicola) neither of which are on the UK or EU Red Lists, which are
extremely rare and found only from a few sites across Southern Britain and
from similar wood pasture habitats with a long history as a Royal Forest.
The Forest, which is owned and managed by the National Trust, is the last
remaining intact medieval hunting forest in Europe and is both a Site of
Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. Commenting on the
new findings, Property Manager for Hatfield Forest, Vikki Forbes, said: ‘It
is further proof that Hatfield Forest is a wonderful site for nature
conservation. However, as some fungi, especially mycorrhizal species, have
been shown to be very vulnerable to air pollution this adds to our concerns
about airport expansion proposals at Stansted Airport.’ |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
