Scientifically Supported Nature Conservation Project on Fungal Diversity in Bavaria

Mycelium inoculation with Prof. Dr. Claus Bässler (University of Bayreuth), Environment Minister Thorsten Glauber, Dr. Norbert Schäffer (LBV) and Dr. Christoph Hahn (BMG) (from left to right) © Michael Bäumler

With the opening event held at the experimental sites near Bad Staffelstein, the Ecology of Fungi research group, headed by Prof. Dr. Claus Bässler, officially launched a new project. The four-year nature conservation and research project “Fungal Species Conservation in Bavaria – with a Focus on Open Landscapes and Wetlands” specifically strengthens the protection of an organism group that has often been underestimated in nature conservation to date. Funded by the Bavarian Nature Conservation Fund with approximately €764,000, the project is being implemented jointly by the LBV, the Bavarian Mycological Society, and the University of Bayreuth.

“We welcome the fact that this project brings fungi more strongly into focus within nature conservation. As sensitive indicators, they reflect the quality and continuity of particularly valuable habitats, which, compared to other groups of organisms, have often received less attention so far,” says Prof. Bässler.

The project focuses on threatened fungal species in nutrient-poor open-land habitats and wetlands. Particular attention is given to so-called CHEGD fungi, including club and coral fungi (Clavariaceae), waxcaps (Hygrocybe), pinkgills (Entoloma), earth tongues (Geoglossaceae), and Dermoloma species, which are regarded as important indicators of extensively managed, species-rich habitats.

The aim of the project is to close existing knowledge gaps regarding the distribution, ecology and causes of threat to endangered fungal species and to derive concrete conservation strategies from this knowledge. To this end, classical field surveys are combined with modern molecular methods such as metabarcoding. In addition, practical measures for habitat improvement and reintroduction are being tested, including hay and turf transfer as well as the targeted inoculation of suitable deadwood substrates. Several inoculated logs from a preliminary study are already located in the arboretum of the ÖBG.

The Chair contributes its recognised expertise in fungal ecology, molecular biodiversity research and the analysis of environmental data to the project. It thus assumes a key role in scientific supervision, data evaluation and the development of evidence-based recommendations for practical fungal conservation in Bavaria.