Rhododendron Ponticum: Impact on Lower Plants and Fungi Communities on the West Coast of Scotland

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Rhododendron Ponticum: Impact on Lower Plants and Fungi Communities on the West Coast of Scotland Rhododendron ponticum: impact on lower plants and fungi communities on the west coast of Scotland. Deborah Long and Jill Williams Rhododendron ponticum: impact on lower plants and fungi communities on the west coast of Scotland. Working towards protecting internationally important bryophyte and lichen communities from Rhododendron ponticum invasion. Scottish Natural Heritage project no. 19412 July 2007 Revised version dated: November 2007 Deborah Long and Jill Williams Plantlife Scotland Balallan House Allan Park Stirling FK8 2QG 01786 478509 [email protected] www.plantlife.org.uk Contents 1 Geographic and ecological scope ..................................................................................... 1 2 Project objectives .............................................................................................................. 6 3 Element 1: Audit of rhododendron management work to date .......................................... 6 4 Element 2: Development of a draft list of sites known to be of high bryophyte and lichen interest that are threatened by R. ponticum invasion ........................................................ 9 5 Element 3: development of a rationale for site prioritisation............................................ 11 6 Element 4: Visits to priority lichen & bryophyte sites ....................................................... 11 6.1 Site selection ..................................................................................................................11 6.2 Survey method................................................................................................................15 7 Element 5: Field visits to sites managed for R. ponticum in the past .............................. 19 7.1 Site selection ..................................................................................................................19 7.2 Rhododendron survey – methods and results.................................................................20 8 Element 6: Site management decision tool ..................................................................... 21 9 Element 7: Set up monitoring at selected sites ............................................................... 29 10 Element 8: Recommendations for future research and management ............................. 36 11 References ...................................................................................................................... 47 12 Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................... 50 13 Proposal for year 2 development of project..................................................................... 50 Appendices Field record form for priority sites – bryophytes Field record form for priority sites – lichens Plantlife invasive species field recording sheet – rhododendron Some interesting and notable lichen species recorded during the Plantlife Scotland survey 2007 by Andy Acton and Anna Griffith Project data (files on separate data disk, available on request from Plantlife Scotland) Threatened woodland desk study - Collated data.xls 2/7/07 (Excel) Rhododendron management audit – Data input form.xls 31/5/07 (Excel) Rhododendron management audit – Collated data.xls 6/7/07 (Excel) Abbreviated Summary of West Highland Rhododendron Schemes.xls 6/7/07 (Excel) Collated bryophyte field records.xls 6/7/07 (Excel) Site species lists - Bryophytes (EK).xls 3/7/07 (Excel) Site species lists - Bryophytes (GPR) – Microsoft Word 12/6/07 Bryophyte monitoring plots on rhododendron-cleared sites – Microsoft Word 16/6/07 Collated lichen field records.xls 6/7/07 (Excel) Site species lists – Lichens.xls 8/6/07 (Excel) Map showing distribution of lichen and bryophyte priority sites visited (JPEG image) Map showing priority site visits with rhododendron absent (JPEG image) Map showing priority site visits with rhododendron present (JPEG image) Map showing priority sites identified in project (vists and desk research) (JPEG image) Map showing sites included in rhododendron audit (JPEG image) I 1 GEOGRAPHIC AND ECOLOGICAL SCOPE The geographic scope of this project corresponds to the tentative West coast Important Plant Area (Plantlife in press) (Figure 1). This area has been proposed as an Important Plant Area owing to its Atlantic woodlands and qualifying on the following criteria: A. Site holds significant population of one or more species of global or European conservation concern. These include Herbertus borealis, Lejeunea mandonii, Radula carringtonii, Daltonia splachnoides, Jamesoniella undulifolia plus eight species of Euphrasia. B. Site has an exceptionally rich flora in a European context in relation to its biogeographic zone. The proposed IPA includes the rich cryptogamic flora of Atlantic woodland on the west coast of Scotland, which is rare elsewhere across the globe. C. Site is an outstanding example of a habitat type of global or European plant conservation and botanical importance. This includes the EC Habitat Directive Annex 1 habitat “old sessile oakwoods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles”, which is widely represented in the proposed IPA. 1 Figure 1: Tentative West coast Important Plant Area (Plantlife in press) Derived from MiniScale by Ordnance Survey. Reproduced from Ordnance Survey digital map data. © Crown Copyright 2003. All rights reserved. 2 Atlantic woodland is defined by its distinctively rich cryptogamic flora and its limited distribution across the world. These wet oak and hazel woodlands are characterised by the thick mossy carpets that cover rocks and tree bases, while the trees themselves are festooned in layers of mosses and lichens. This habitat has been described as the Celtic rainforest (Gilbert 2004). Many of these species, although locally abundant in western Scotland, are limited elsewhere in the world to the extreme western seaboard of Europe and the Atlantic islands including the Azores and Madeira. These species that are rare in European terms, are those for which Scotland has special responsibility. The rich cryptogamic species diversity of Atlantic woodland is based on a number of environmental variables (Baarda 2005): • Wetness / temperate rainforest • Western / oceanic / Atlantic climate • Upland / steep / poor soils • Presence of characteristic bryophytes and lower plants, eg Adelanthus decipiens, Radula aquilegia, Plagiochila spinulosa • Quality / rarity / uniqueness • Need for management • Oak and / or hazel Vegetation characteristics Vegetation types that make up Atlantic woodland include W17 (Quercus petraea-Betula pubescens-Dicranum majus woodland), W11 (Quercus petraea – Betula pubescens – Oxalis acetosella woodland) (Rodwell 1991) and hazel woodland, with pockets of W7 (Alnus glutinosa – Fraxinus excelsior – Lysimachia nemorum woodland) and W9 (Fraxinus excelsior – Sorbus aucuparia – Mercurialis perennis woodland) (Rodwell 1991). In descriptions of W17, Rodwell et al. (2002) describe Rhododendron ponticum as a vigorous invader. As such it “poses a serious threat to the rich oceanic bryophyte and lichen floras in many W17 woods in north Wales, the Lake District, the western Highlands and western Ireland. Clearance of rhododendron has taken place in many western woods; methods vary from manual cutting and subsequent treatment of stumps to clearance using a mechanical flail. Observations suggest that following clearance, recovery of the woodland vegetation is a very slow process, and that some of the rarer bryophytes and lichens might never return.” See recommendations on control. Both W11 and W17 occur in the EC Habitat Directive Annex 1 habitat “old sessile oakwoods with Ilex and Blechnum in the British Isles”. Special Area of Conservation status (SAC) has been designated to approximately 19% of the total UK old sessile oak habitat, many of which occur along Scotland’s west coast (Figures 2 and 3). The remaining 81% of the UK old sessile oak habitat is of insufficient quality in terms of habitat structure and function to meet SAC standards (JNCC 2003). 3 Figure 2: Distribution of old sessile oak woods across Britain (www.jncc.gov.uk) Figure 3: Distribution of old sessile oak wood SACs in Britain (www.jncc.gov.uk) 4 Lichens For lichens, four characteristic communities of species are found in Scotland’s Atlantic woodlands: • Graphidion scriptae • Parmelion laevigatae • Lobarion pulmonariae • Usneion barbatae The numbers of lichen species typically found in an Atlantic woodland are mainly in the range of 100 – 200 (Coppins and Coppins 2005). Characteristic species include Graphis alboscripta, which has not been found outside Scotland to date and Lobaria pulmonaria. Lobaria pulmonaria, listed on Red Lists in other European countries, is locally abundant in Scotland, where its largest populations remain. However, it has suffered a significant decline in European lowlands during the last decades and therefore is considered as endangered throughout Europe. (Zoller et al. 1999). The biggest threat to the lichens of the oak and hazel woodlands of Scotland’s west coast is the invasion of Rhododendron ponticum (Coppins and Coppins 2005). Bryophytes The oceanic bryophyte element of British and Irish Atlantic woodlands is the richest bryophyte flora in Europe and one of the richest in the world, rivalling the bryophyte flora of tropical montane cloud forests (Porley and Hodgetts 2005). Most good Atlantic woodlands will contain more than 200 different species of moss and liverwort (Rothero 2005). Indicator species
Recommended publications
  • Have You Seen This Fungus?
    HAVE YOU SEEN THIS FUNGUS? © Jon Hudson © Sam Bosanquet . • Are you a woodland manager or contractor? Do you have areas of undisturbed hazel woods/scrub? Then the Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Partnership would like your help. • We are looking for records for the rare Hypocreopsis rhododendri Hazel Gloves fungus. It has recently been found at two sites in the county and more records would be welcome. • H. rhododendri is usually found in the UK on standing dead stems of hazel, but has also been recorded on living and cut hazel branches and living and dead branches of blackthorn, willow and wild rose. Its pale tan, bracket-like appearance with extending finger-like lobes make it very distinctive. • The scientific name of the fungus (Hypocreopsis rhododendri) stems from the fact that it was once found growing on Rhododendron maximum in the USA: it is not found on rhododendron in the UK. • The best time to look for hazel gloves is between August and March, although fruit bodies may still be visible into the summer. • If you find this fungus please get in touch. If possible take a photo and record the grid reference. (UK Grid Reference Finder - http://gridreferencefinder.com can help you do this). Contact: Biodiversity Officer, 01558 825390, [email protected] A YDYCH WEDI GWELD Y FFWNG HWN? © Jon Hudson © Sam Bosanquet . • A ydych yn rheolwr ar goetir neu'n gontractwr coetiroedd? A oes gennych lecynnau lle mae prysgwydd/coed cyll wedi cael llonydd i dyfu ers tro? Yna hoffai Partneriaeth Bioamrywiaeth Sir Gaerfyrddin gael cymorth gennych. • Rydym yn chwilio am gofnodion o ffwng prin sef menyg cyll (Hypocreopsis rhododendri).
    [Show full text]
  • Corylus Avellana) in Ireland Brown, James; Beatty, Gemma; Montgomery, Ian; Provan, James
    Aberystwyth University Broad-scale genetic homogeneity in natural populations of common hazel (Corylus avellana) in Ireland Brown, James; Beatty, Gemma; Montgomery, Ian; Provan, James Published in: Tree Genetics and Genomes DOI: 10.1007/s11295-016-1079-7 Publication date: 2016 Citation for published version (APA): Brown, J., Beatty, G., Montgomery, I., & Provan, J. (2016). Broad-scale genetic homogeneity in natural populations of common hazel (Corylus avellana) in Ireland. Tree Genetics and Genomes, 12, [122]. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11295-016-1079-7 Document License CC BY General rights Copyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the Aberystwyth Research Portal (the Institutional Repository) are retained by the authors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise and abide by the legal requirements associated with these rights. • Users may download and print one copy of any publication from the Aberystwyth Research Portal for the purpose of private study or research. • You may not further distribute the material or use it for any profit-making activity or commercial gain • You may freely distribute the URL identifying the publication in the Aberystwyth Research Portal Take down policy If you believe that this document breaches copyright please contact us providing details, and we will remove access to the work immediately and investigate your claim. tel: +44 1970 62 2400 email: [email protected] Download date: 30. Sep. 2021 Tree Genetics & Genomes (2016) 12:122 DOI 10.1007/s11295-016-1079-7 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Broad-scale genetic homogeneity in natural populations of common hazel (Corylus avellana) in Ireland James A.
    [Show full text]
  • BLS Bulletin 102 Summer 2008.Pdf
    BRITISH LICHEN SOCIETY OFFICERS AND CONTACTS 2008 PRESIDENT P.W. Lambley MBE, The Cottage, Elsing Road, Lyng, Norwich NR9 5RR, email [email protected] VICE-PRESIDENT S.D. Ward, 14 Green Road, Ballyvaghan, Co. Clare, Ireland, email [email protected] SECRETARY Post Vacant. Correspondence to Department of Botany, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD. TREASURER J.F. Skinner, 28 Parkanaur Avenue, Southend-on-sea, Essex SS1 3HY, email [email protected] ASSISTANT TREASURER AND MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY D. Chapman, The Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, email [email protected] REGIONAL TREASURER (Americas) Dr J.W. Hinds, 254 Forest Avenue, Orono, Maine 04473- 3202, USA. CHAIR OF THE DATA COMMITTEE Dr D.J. Hill, email [email protected] MAPPING RECORDER AND ARCHIVIST Prof. M.R.D.Seaward DSc, FLS, FIBiol, Department of Environmental Science, The University, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP, email [email protected] DATABASE MANAGER Ms J. Simkin, 41 North Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland NE20 9UN, email [email protected] SENIOR EDITOR (LICHENOLOGIST) Dr P.D.Crittenden, School of Life Science, The University, Nottingham NG7 2RD, email [email protected] BULLETIN EDITOR Dr P.F. Cannon, CABI Europe UK Centre, Bakeham Lane, Egham, Surrey TW20 9TY, email [email protected] CHAIR OF CONSERVATION COMMITTEE & CONSERVATION OFFICER B.W. Edwards, DERC, Library Headquarters, Colliton Park, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1XJ, email [email protected] CHAIR OF THE EDUCATION AND PROMOTION COMMITTEE Dr B. Hilton, email [email protected] CURATOR R.K.
    [Show full text]
  • Notizbuchartige Auswahlliste Zur Bestimmungsliteratur Für Unitunicate Pyrenomyceten, Saccharomycetales Und Taphrinales
    Pilzgattungen Europas - Liste 9: Notizbuchartige Auswahlliste zur Bestimmungsliteratur für unitunicate Pyrenomyceten, Saccharomycetales und Taphrinales Bernhard Oertel INRES Universität Bonn Auf dem Hügel 6 D-53121 Bonn E-mail: [email protected] 24.06.2011 Zur Beachtung: Hier befinden sich auch die Ascomycota ohne Fruchtkörperbildung, selbst dann, wenn diese mit gewissen Discomyceten phylogenetisch verwandt sind. Gattungen 1) Hauptliste 2) Liste der heute nicht mehr gebräuchlichen Gattungsnamen (Anhang) 1) Hauptliste Acanthogymnomyces Udagawa & Uchiyama 2000 (ein Segregate von Spiromastix mit Verwandtschaft zu Shanorella) [Europa?]: Typus: A. terrestris Udagawa & Uchiyama Erstbeschr.: Udagawa, S.I. u. S. Uchiyama (2000), Acanthogymnomyces ..., Mycotaxon 76, 411-418 Acanthonitschkea s. Nitschkia Acanthosphaeria s. Trichosphaeria Actinodendron Orr & Kuehn 1963: Typus: A. verticillatum (A.L. Sm.) Orr & Kuehn (= Gymnoascus verticillatus A.L. Sm.) Erstbeschr.: Orr, G.F. u. H.H. Kuehn (1963), Mycopath. Mycol. Appl. 21, 212 Lit.: Apinis, A.E. (1964), Revision of British Gymnoascaceae, Mycol. Pap. 96 (56 S. u. Taf.) Mulenko, Majewski u. Ruszkiewicz-Michalska (2008), A preliminary checklist of micromycetes in Poland, 330 s. ferner in 1) Ajellomyces McDonough & A.L. Lewis 1968 (= Emmonsiella)/ Ajellomycetaceae: Lebensweise: Z.T. humanpathogen Typus: A. dermatitidis McDonough & A.L. Lewis [Anamorfe: Zymonema dermatitidis (Gilchrist & W.R. Stokes) C.W. Dodge; Synonym: Blastomyces dermatitidis Gilchrist & Stokes nom. inval.; Synanamorfe: Malbranchea-Stadium] Anamorfen-Formgattungen: Emmonsia, Histoplasma, Malbranchea u. Zymonema (= Blastomyces) Bestimm. d. Gatt.: Arx (1971), On Arachniotus and related genera ..., Persoonia 6(3), 371-380 (S. 379); Benny u. Kimbrough (1980), 20; Domsch, Gams u. Anderson (2007), 11; Fennell in Ainsworth et al. (1973), 61 Erstbeschr.: McDonough, E.S. u. A.L.
    [Show full text]
  • Endemic Genera of Bryophytes of North America (North of Mexico)
    Preslia, Praha, 76: 255–277, 2004 255 Endemic genera of bryophytes of North America (north of Mexico) Endemické rody mechorostů Severní Ameriky Wilfred Borden S c h o f i e l d Dedicated to the memory of Emil Hadač Department of Botany, University Boulevard 3529-6270, Vancouver B. C., Canada V6T 1Z4, e-mail: [email protected] Schofield W. B. (2004): Endemic genera of bryophytes of North America (north of Mexico). – Preslia, Praha, 76: 255–277. There are 20 endemic genera of mosses and three of liverworts in North America, north of Mexico. All are monotypic except Thelia, with three species. General ecology, reproduction, distribution and nomenclature are discussed for each genus. Distribution maps are provided. The Mexican as well as Neotropical genera of bryophytes are also noted without detailed discussion. K e y w o r d s : bryophytes, distribution, ecology, endemic, liverworts, mosses, reproduction, North America Introduction Endemism in bryophyte genera of North America (north of Mexico) appears not to have been discussed in detail previously. Only the mention of genera is included in Schofield (1980) with no detail presented. Distribution maps of several genera have appeared in scattered publications. The present paper provides distribution maps of all endemic bryophyte genera for the region and considers the biology and taxonomy of each. When compared to vascular plants, endemism in bryophyte genera in the region is low. There are 20 genera of mosses and three of liverworts. The moss families Andreaeobryaceae, Pseudoditrichaceae and Theliaceae and the liverwort family Gyrothyraceae are endemics; all are monotypic. A total of 16 families of mosses and three of liverworts that possess endemic genera are represented.
    [Show full text]
  • Hypocreopsis Lichenoides P. Karst. (Fungi, Ascomycetes), New to Poland
    Vol. 73, No. 2: 135-137, 2004 ACTA SOCIETATIS BOTANICORUM POLONIAE 135 HYPOCREOPSIS LICHENOIDES P. KARST. (FUNGI, ASCOMYCETES), NEW TO POLAND MA£GORZATA STASIÑSKA Departament of Botany, University of Szczecin Felczaka 3a, 71-412 Szczecin, Poland e-mail: [email protected] (Received: June 17, 2003. Accepted: August 16, 2003) ABSTRACT Hypocreopsis lichenoides, a fungus found for the first time in Poland, is characterized and illustrated. The paper presents the distribution of the species in Poland and gives its morphological and ecological description. KEY WORDS: Ascomycetes, Hypocreales, peat bog, distribution, Pomerania. INTRODUCTION carp morphology and ecological notes are based on origi- nal material and supplemented by the literature data. The The genus Hypocreopsis P. Karst. (1873) of the family distribution of Hypocreopsis lichenoides in Poland is pre- Hypocreaceae and the order Hypocreales is represented by sented in a point map. The nomenclature of vascular plants 5 species, usually growing on decaying wood and often as- was accepted according to Mirek et al. (1995). Specimens sociated with resupinate basidiomycetes. The fungi are wi- were deposited in the Herbarium of the Department of Bo- despread, occurring mainly in the Temperate Zone of Eu- tany at the Szczecin University (SZUB), Poland. rope and North America. Representatives of the genus we- re also noted in Asia, South America and Africa (Dennis 1978; Niemelä and Nordin 1985; Kirk et al. 2001). Among RESULTS the species of the genus Hypocreopsis, only one, Hypocre- opsis lichenoides (Tode: Fr.) Seaver, was recently found in Taxonomy and description northern Poland. Hypocreopsis lichenoides (Tode: Fr.) Seaver, Mycologia Hypocreopsis lichenoides is one of the most easily di- 2: 82.
    [Show full text]
  • Peck, J.E., 2005B
    FINAL REPORT ON THE MOSS HARVEST MONITORING PLAN Hebo Ranger District, Siuslaw National Forest Descriptions and Results for Special Forest Products Stewardship Areas SA1 and SA2 prepared by JeriLynn E. Peck of Ecostats [email protected] May 2005 Summary This report is a stand-alone description and evaluation of the Moss Harvest Monitoring Plan and contains descriptions of sites, methods, and experimental results as well as interpretation and conclusions for SA1 and SA2 upon the termination of this program. The conclusions from this program include: • The results from this project should be generally applicable to all mature mixed forests on the Hebo Ranger District of 50-240 ft2/ac in basal area below 1500 ft in elevation with a history of moss harvest. • The epiphytic bryophyte communities 100-200 ft from a stream do not differ from those up to 1000 feet from a stream. • Although species composition differed among conifer and hardwood dominated plots, treatment effects did not differ by overstory composition. • Patchy harvest at levels up to 100 lbs/ac appears to have no long-term impacts on percent cover, species richness, or species composition in such sites. • The distribution of harvestable moss on the landscape is unreliably variable. • The natural rate of host stem loss due to disturbance was 17% over eight years. • The ecosystem impacts of long-term reductions in volume and biomass, such as on habitat quality and hydrologic buffering, remain unknown. Management recommendations include: • District-wide inventories are needed to accurately predict available harvest volumes. • The current standards and guidelines for moss harvest on the Siuslaw National Forest should be modified as follows: o harvest of only every other stem should be a recommendation only, o the protected riparian zone should be 100 paced feet, o harvest should be prohibited in LSR pending further research, o rotation periods on the Hebo Ranger District should be extended to 5 years (leaving 20-25 years for biomass recovery between harvest on any given area).
    [Show full text]
  • Inventory for Special Status Bryophyte Species
    INVENTORY FOR SPECIAL STATUS BRYOPHYTE SPECIES Report to Eugene District, Bureau of Land Management John A. Christy November 2006 1 Acknowledgements Nancy Sawtelle and Douglas Goldenberg provided funding and logistical support for this project, and Ashton Christy provided invaluable assistance in the field. 2 INVENTORY FOR SPECIAL STATUS BRYOPHYTE SPECIES, EUGENE DISTRICT BLM John A. Christy November 2006 Summary Eight sites on the Eugene BLM District were inventoried for Special Status bryophyte species, four on the east (Cascade) side of the District, and four on the west (Coast Range) side. Sites were selected by BLM in areas of high annual precipitation. The moss Fissidens pauperculus was found at two of the Coast Range sites, and the lichen Hydrothyria venosa was found at one of the Cascades sites. Suitable habitat for eight other target Special Status species was observed at all sites inventoried, but additional species were not detected. Background The Bureau of Land Management’s Special Status Plant Program has identified several species of bryophytes of conservation concern that are suspected to occur on the Eugene District. These have not been confirmed from the district and require the skills of a specialist to locate and identify them. Finding these species on the Eugene District would increase BLM's knowledge base and would inform managers about the likelihood of habitat to support these species and whether field surveys are needed for subsequent efforts. BLM contracted with John Christy to conduct intuitive controlled surveys for these species. Targeted habitat was old growth and late-successional stands of Douglas fir and hemlock that had not been inventoried previously.
    [Show full text]
  • Comparison of Invertebrates and Lichens Between Young and Ancient
    Comparison of invertebrates and lichens between young and ancient yew trees Bachelor agro & biotechnology Specialization Green management 3th Internship report / bachelor dissertation Student: Clerckx Jonathan Academic year: 2014-2015 Tutor: Ms. Joos Isabelle Mentor: Ms. Birch Katherine Natural England: Kingley Vale NNR Downs Road PO18 9BN Chichester www.naturalengland.org.uk Comparison of invertebrates and lichens between young and ancient yew trees. Natural England: Kingley Vale NNR Foreword My dissertation project and internship took place in an ancient yew woodland reserve called Kingley Vale National Nature Reserve. Kingley Vale NNR is managed by Natural England. My dissertation deals with the biodiversity in these woodlands. During my stay in England I learned many things about the different aspects of nature conservation in England. First of all I want to thank Katherine Birch (manager of Kingley Vale NNR) for giving guidance through my dissertation project and for creating lots of interesting days during my internship. I want to thank my tutor Isabelle Joos for suggesting Kingley Vale NNR and guiding me during the year. I thank my uncle Guido Bonamie for lending me his microscope and invertebrate books and for helping me with some identifications of invertebrates. I thank Lies Vandercoilden for eliminating my spelling and grammar faults. Thanks to all the people helping with identifications of invertebrates: Guido Bonamie, Jon Webb, Matthew Shepherd, Bryan Goethals. And thanks to the people that reacted on my posts on the Facebook page: Lichens connecting people! I want to thank Catherine Slade and her husband Nigel for being the perfect hosts of my accommodation in England.
    [Show full text]
  • En Report (Scie) F&B
    Report Number 541 Report on hazel gloves Hypocreopsis rhododendri, a UK BAP ascomycete fungus English Nature Research Reports working today for nature tomorrow English Nature Research Reports Number 541 Report on hazel gloves Hypocreopsis rhododendri, a UK BAP ascomycete fungus (with reference to willow gloves H. lichenoides) Dr A. Martyn Ainsworth 53 Elm Road, Windsor, Berkshire. SL4 3NB [email protected] March 2003 You may reproduce as many additional copies of this report as you like, provided such copies stipulate that copyright remains with English Nature, Northminster House, Peterborough PE1 1UA ISSN 0967-876X © Copyright English Nature 2003 Summary Hazel gloves Hypocreopsis rhododendri was added to the British list in 1973 and was recorded from three sites in Devon in 1988. The strongholds for this species in the British Isles are in western Scotland and Eire. H. rhododendri is also found in areas of USA and France with predominantly oceanic climates. It is ranked as Vulnerable in the UK Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP), but as Rare in A provisional Red Data List of British fungi (Ing 1992). Hypocreopsis rhododendri forms conspicuous brownish-orange lichen-like stromata, on branches, usually of hazel or blackthorn. A frequently observed association with the crust- like fruit bodies of the basidiomycete fungus Hymenochaete corrugata warrants further investigation. The stromata are usually visible throughout the year. Microscopy of ascospores is required to confirm identification. Conservation management should focus on balancing site grazing intensity and hazel regeneration. Temporary fencing may be required at some sites. Reinstating lapsed coppice cycles and dead wood removal should be avoided. Willow gloves Hypocreopsis lichenoides was initially collected in Yorkshire in Feb 1790 and described as Sphaeria riccioidea by J.
    [Show full text]
  • Scottish Fungi
    mushroom leaflet artwork:Layout 1 23/10/09 13:58 Page 1 akrudphoto: Background Fairy Inkcap ( ....and some fungi that Fairies and witches Fascinated by fungi and disemminatus Coprinellus Massive! Wood ( Blewit you probably won't see. One of the largest, heaviest and oldest living things Think of ‘dingly dells’ and toadstools, and you will almost certainly The wild and want to know more? known on earth is a mushroom growing in North West conjure up fairytale imagery, with perhaps a hint of sinister unease. America. It weighs in at an estimated 150 metric nuda Lepista Fungi have held a strong and evocative place in British folklore, much These species are rare and are tonnes, covers 890 hectares and is at least 2,400 years more so than in other European countries, which perhaps partly wonderful world of To find out more about fungi in your area, contact your local council old. Now that’s a monster and the same Honey Fungus ) © Laurie Campbell explains why we eat them less. If comparing the number of species ) listed in the UK Biodiversity rangers, the British Mycological Society (www.britmycolsoc.org.uk), (Armillaria ostoyae) is widespread in Scotland! © Laurie Campbell on sale for eating, in the UK there are hardly any, in Switzerland there Action Plan. or Plantlife Scotland. There are several local fungus recording are 78 and in Sweden there are at least 300! groups across Scotland that you could join. Honey Fungus (Armillaria ostoyae) © Joe Sutton, Plantlife Witches have played a part in fungi myths. Look for the growths on trees that are a mass of small twigs growing in a cluster, known as Witches’ Broom, resembling a huge bird’s nest.
    [Show full text]
  • AM BRATACH: Raasay's Community Newsletter
    AM BRATACH: Raasay’s Community Newsletter April 2017 9 Hazel In the thirteenth of a series of articles on Raasay’s flora, botanist STEPHEN BUNGARD takes a look at Hazel. Hazel (Corylus avellana) is locally plentiful as a native plant on Raasay, especially near the coast. It has also been planted as part of tree-planting schemes. The male flowers are familiar as catkins but the very small red female flowers need to be looked for carefully. They are both found on the same plant, but it does not self- Hazel Gloves Photo: R. Cottis pollinate. Atlantic hazelwood in western Scotland is a unique, species-rich habitat that is the subject of a 2012 publication “Atlantic Hazel – Scotland’s Special Woodlands”, a book that features three images of the woodland at South Screapadal. Amongst other things the book dispels several myths about hazel: • Hazel occurs naturally as an understorey shrub • Multi-stemmed hazel is all hazel coppice • Hazel will die out if it is not regularly coppiced • Hazel will develop into a single-trunked tree if left uncoppiced None of these statements is true, especially of Atlantic hazel. Coppicing selected stems rather than completely cutting whole stools of hazel has long been used to provide straight sticks and firewood. The nuts are of course edible and plentiful in some years. The nuts are a major source of food for wood mice and voles as inspection of the nutshells lying on the ground will reveal. Several galls caused by midges and mites in the leaf, catkin and bud are known. On Skye the rare Hazel Gloves fungus (Hypocreopsis rhododendri) is known in several places, but it is not (yet) known on Raasay.
    [Show full text]