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]

See also

• Fungi by conservation status

References

Conservation of species
Conservation biology	Conservation behavior Conservation dependent species Conservation ethic Conservation genetics Conservation status Ex-situ conservation Extinction threshold In-situ conservation Latent extinction risk Marine conservation Species translocation Threatened species
Conservation areas	Conservation designation Conservation development Conservation district Conservation easement Ecoregion conservation status Environmental protection Gap analysis Habitat conservation High conservation value area Landscape-scale conservation Marine protected area National conservation area Open space reserve Riparian buffer Roadless area conservation Roadside conservation Site-based conservation Special Area of Conservation
Restoration	Assisted natural regeneration Ecosystem restoration Island restoration Reforestation afforestation Rewilding
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