Waxcap grassland is a term used to describe short-sward, nutrient-poor grasslands supporting rich assemblages of larger fungi, particularly waxcaps (Hygrocybe

Hygrocybe

Hygrocybe is a genus of agarics in the family Hygrophoraceae. Called "waxcaps" in English , basidiocarps are often brightly coloured and have waxy to slimy caps, white spores, and smooth, ringless stems...

spp), characteristic of such habitats. Waxcap grasslands occur principally in Europe, where they are declining as a result of agricultural practices. The fungal species are consequently of conservation concern and efforts have been made in the United Kingdom and elsewhere to protect both the grasslands and their characteristic fungi.

Background

The association of waxcaps with unimproved (nutrient-poor) grasslands was first noted in 1949 in the Netherlands, but current interest was stimulated by a series of papers published by Dutch mycologist Eef Arnolds in the 1980s. Arnolds not only confirmed the association of waxcaps with unimproved grasslands, but also noted the rapid decline in such habitats in the Netherlands. Similar studies were subsequently undertaken elsewhere in Europe, initially in Denmark and the United Kingdom.

Definition and description

Waxcap grasslands are characterized by being unimproved (unfertilized and nutrient-poor), short-sward (through grazing or mowing), moss-rich, and long-established (not recently sown). They occur in both upland and lowland areas and may be on acidic, neutral, or calcareous soil. They support a wide range of characteristic larger fungi, but may not be equally species-rich in plants.

Characteristic species

Larger fungi characteristic of waxcap grasslands include agarics belonging to the genera Hygrocybe

Hygrocybe

Hygrocybe is a genus of agarics in the family Hygrophoraceae. Called "waxcaps" in English , basidiocarps are often brightly coloured and have waxy to slimy caps, white spores, and smooth, ringless stems...

(waxcaps), Entoloma

Entoloma

Entoloma is a large genus of terrestrial pink-gilled mushrooms, with about 1000 species. They have a drab appearance, pink gills which are attached to the stem, a smooth thick cap, and angular spores. Most entolomas are saprobic...

(pinkgills), Dermoloma

Dermoloma

Dermoloma is a genus of fungi in the Tricholomataceae family. The widespread genus contains about 15 species....

, Porpoloma

Porpoloma

Porpoloma is a genus of fungi in the Tricholomataceae family. The genus contains about 12 species found predominantly in South America.-Species:*Porpoloma amyloideum*Porpoloma aranzadii*Porpoloma bambusarum*Porpoloma elytroides...

, and Camarophyllopsis

Camarophyllopsis

Camarophyllopsis is a genus of 26 species of fungi with a widespread distribution, especially in northern temperate areas. Members of Camarophyllopsis are distinguished from members of the Hygrophoraceae family by mainly by their hymenoderm pileipellis. The arrangement of lamellar trama is highly...

, clavarioid fungi

Clavarioid fungi

The clavarioid fungi are a group of fungi in the Basidiomycota typically having erect, simple or branched basidiocarps that are formed on the ground, on decaying vegetation, or on dead wood. They are colloquially called club fungi and coral fungi...

 (club and coral fungi) belonging to the genera Clavaria

Clavaria

Clavaria is a genus of fungi in the family Clavariaceae. Species of Clavaria produce basidiocarps that are either cylindrical to club-shaped or branched and coral-like. They are often grouped with similar-looking species from other genera, when they are collectively known as the clavarioid fungi...

, Clavulinopsis

Clavulinopsis

Clavulinopsis is a genus of fungi in the Clavariaceae family. The genus, first described scientifically by Casper van Overeem in 1923, has a widespread distribution and contains 33 species.-External links:* at Index Fungorum...

, and Ramariopsis

Ramariopsis

Ramariopsis is a genus of fungi in the Clavariaceae family. The genus has a widespread distribution and contains 44 species.- Species :R. agglutinata –R. alutacea –R. antillarum –R. asperulospora –...

, and earthtongues

Geoglossaceae

Geoglossaceae is a family of fungi in the class Geoglossomycetes. It was previously defined with 6 genera and 48 species and was broadly known as earth tongues. Molecular phylogenetics has shown that genera with mainly light or colored spores and sexual structures belong in the Leotiomycetes...

 belonging to the genera Geoglossum, Microglossum, and Trichoglossum.

The "CHEG" assessment system

In 1995, Rald proposed a simple count of the number of Hygrocybe species present at a given site in order to assess its value as a waxcap grassland. He suggested that the presence of 17 or more species meant the site was of national importance, 9-16 species of regional importance, 4-8 species of local importance, and 3 or fewer of no importance. A year later, this system was modified by Rotheroe and others to include all the characteristic macrofungi and not just waxcaps. Known as the "CHEG" system, this is widely used in survey work today. The acronym "CHEG" stands for the main groups of relevant fungi: C - the clavarioid

Clavarioid fungi

The clavarioid fungi are a group of fungi in the Basidiomycota typically having erect, simple or branched basidiocarps that are formed on the ground, on decaying vegetation, or on dead wood. They are colloquially called club fungi and coral fungi...

 species; H - Hygrocybe species; E - Entoloma species; and G - the Geoglossaceae (earthtongues).

Conservation

This decline in waxcap grasslands has been mainly the result of agricultural improvement of pastures by ploughing and reseeding, by manuring, and by the use of fertilizers and other chemicals. In 1988, Arnolds estimated that only some 200 ha of unimproved waxcap grasslands remained in the Netherlands. As a result, both the grasslands and the larger fungi typical of such grasslands are of conservation concern, with the majority of species featuring in one or more national red lists of threatened fungi in Europe.

In the United Kingdom, recent survey work has shown that surviving waxcap grasslands are more extensive than in many other European countries, thanks mainly to large areas of unimproved upland sheep pastures and also to many unimproved lawns (especially in churchyards and country houses) and amenity grasslands. Nonetheless, five species characteristic of waxcap grasslands - Entoloma bloxamii

Entoloma bloxamii

Entoloma bloxamii, commonly known as Bloxam's entoloma or the big blue pinkgill, is a mushroom in the Entolomataceae family of fungi...

, Hygrocybe calyptriformis

Hygrocybe calyptriformis

Hygrocybe calyptriformis is a species of agaric in the family Hygrophoraceae. It has been given the recommended English name of Pink Waxcap in the UK. The species has a north temperate distribution, occurring in grassland in Europe and in woodland in North America and northern Asia. It typically...

, Hygrocybe spadicea, Geoglossum atropurpureum, and Microglossum olivaceum - are or have been the subject of national Biodiversity Action Plans

Biodiversity Action Plan

A Biodiversity Action Plan is an internationally recognized program addressing threatened species and habitats and is designed to protect and restore biological systems. The original impetus for these plans derives from the 1992 Convention on Biological Diversity...

 and waxcap grasslands as a specific habitat are the subject of several local Biodiversity Action Plans. Waxcap grassland surveys have been undertaken by the British Mycological Society

British Mycological Society

The British Mycological Society is a learned society established in 1896 to promote the study of fungi.-Formation:The Society was formed based on the efforts of two local societies, the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club of Hereford and the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. The curator of the Hereford...

, the National Trust

National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty

The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...

, Plantlife

Plantlife

Plantlife is a wild plant conservation charity. As of 2007, its membership was 10,500 and it owned 23 nature reserves around the UK.-History:It was founded in 1989 with its first President being Professor David Bellamy. By 1999 it had 22 nature reserves....

, and the various national conservation bodies. As a result several waxcap grassland sites, such as the banks of Llanishen and Lisvane Reservoirs

Llanishen Reservoir

Llanishen Reservoir is a Victorian reservoir in North Cardiff in South Wales. The reservoir is one of the reservoirs constructed as part of the Taff Fawr scheme for supplying water to Cardiff and was completed in 1886...

 in Cardiff

Cardiff

Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...

 and the lawns of Roecliffe Manor

Roecliffe Manor Lawns

Roecliffe Manor Lawns is a 1.28 hectare biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in Leicestershire, notified in 2001.Its biological importance is due to its assemblage of rare fungi.-Source:*...

 in Leicestershire

Leicestershire

Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...

, have been designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest, affording them some legal protection. A leaflet on managing waxcap grasslands in Britain and Ireland has been published by Plantlife and the Fungus Conservation Forum.

External links

• WaxCap Website, University of Wales, Aberystwyth
  University of Wales, Aberystwyth
  Aberystwyth University is a university located in Aberystwyth, Wales. Aberystwyth was a founding Member Institution of the former federal University of Wales. As of late 2006, the university had over 12,000 students spread across seventeen academic departments.The university was founded in 1872 as...
  
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