Preface

Summary

Conservation is a major concern at the moment. In the second half of the twentieth century, naturalists (including mycologists) became aware of a general decline in natural habitats. Significant decline in the number of species, and in the occurrence of species of fungi, was detected in the 1960s in several countries in Europe and was correlated with changes in land usage and with three consistent themes of environmental pollution: eutrophication (contamination of water bodies with nutrients draining off agricultural land), acid rain (mostly downwind of industrial smoke plumes) and desertification (caused by shifts in precipitation patterns resulting from climatic change). Since that time the general attitude has changed to one in which managers try to improve biodiversity.

This book examines the various problems associated with fungal conservation. In different parts of the world there are several threats to fungi and fungal diversity that prompt thoughts of conservation. However, it is not self-evident whether and how fungi themselves can be conserved. Perhaps the emphasis should be placed on conservation of the site, or the habitat, or the host? All of these issues are addressed and debated here, but this book goes beyond mere debate by filling the need for practical guidance for management of nature in ways beneficial to fungi. Different parts of the world experience different problems, so there are different solutions too.