Refungarium – Creating Fungal Refugia

Over the past 4 years, here in this woodland, Coed Talylan, on the western edge of the Brecon Beacons, we have been carefully observing how this former spruce plantation is steadily regenerating into a diverse woodland. Twenty years ago the mature spruce was harvested, 50 years after the plantation was established by the Forestry Commission. There are areas that were replanted with sitka spruce, some of these second generation plantations have established better than others. We see the signs of other replanting efforts. Throughout the woodland we find old tree guards wrapped around struggling oak saplings and ash now dwarfed by birch, willow and alder. There are towering old oaks along the brook cut through by the Nant Carrefoelgam pouring from a spring on the hillside above. Out of all these ermerging habitats there is a small section no more than an acre or so where those who extracted the timber 20 years ago seemingly did not, or could not reach, either way large spruce trees still reside from the plantation days some have toppled over but continue to grow, their branches now reaching upwards as trees rooted to the former trunk. Willows that have found their way to the light have now sprawled and toppled onto the spruce. Moss covers everything. This area is a sheltered and lying low a haven to a diversity of damp dwelling plantlife, the mosses, ferns, liverworts and bryophytes echo an ancient landscape of a temperate rainforest form a pre historic age. It here we take the most pleasure in searching for fungi. Creeping careful through this soft mossy maze with all manner of mushrooms fruiting from the forest floor and decaying branches.

To a commercial forester this has little value but we feel that such a habitat is priceless. We want to protect this habitat but in such a way to nuture the speices of fungi we find here and encourage more fungal diversity. We began seeing it at as fungal “forest garden”, leaving the woodland to itself but adding substrates or habitats for fungi. Slowly we began introducing logs inoculated with a Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom) strain cultured, using our lab at Coed Talylan, from a fruitbody found in this areaq growing on fallen rowan. Inspired my our readings of Paul Stamets we did the same with a different strain found growing on willow as well as Laetiporus sulphureus (Chicken-of-woods) on oak and an indigeous strain of Trametes Versicolor (Turkey Tail). In our enthusiasm, we then used other techniques and different species to make “log rafts”, nestled under the collapsing spruces inoculated with Pholiota nameko, Pleurotus eryngii (King Oyster), Cyclocybe aegerita (Black poplar). Log “totems” with Lentinula edodes (shiitake) and , log rounds with other Pleurotus species and Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi), buried rounds with Griffola Frondosa (Maitake).*

However, we didn’t want to just encourage these edible species but also increase the diversity of fungi we have observed elsewhere in the woodland and in woodlands nearby. In a very rudimentary way, we collected fruit bodies of rarer and absent species and placed them balanced on branches, clinging to the spruce needles to disperse their spores. A small chance of success but fungi know how to work with these probabilities producing millions of spores from their fruiting bodies.

Wanting to incease this potential and get a better understanding how others have approached this before we began to follow the work of Radical Mycologists who have developed low-tech ways of increasing fungal proliferation and so we have been making “spores slurries”, nutrified solutions of mychorrhizal fungi spores used to inoculate saplings of birch, oak, douglas fruch and spruce. We use “cardboard spawn” with some saprophytic species which is then used to inoculate prepared beds of suitable substrates.

We want to better test and evaluate these and other techniques of “myco-forestry” or “myco-restoration” as a foundational approach to biodiversity creation. If fungi are so pivotal in the creation of terrestrial habitats any agroecological approach to land management to increase the diversity of species and biological interactions between species should, at least, necessitate an understanding of fungal growth and development? We can then use this knowledge and insight as a basis for a planning framework of ecological adaptation in a changing climate.

As such, we now want to expand on this idea to a much larger area, half of the land here in fact, 35 acres, and create a fungal forest nature reserve, a refugium for fungi, a Refungium.


So, we invited members of our local fungi group in Carmarthenshire to visit and explore the woodland with this question of creating a fungal refugium.

This first meeting in December proved to be very fruitful and we are thankful for the thoughtful reflections offered by Bruce Landridge, Hywel Evans and Peter Williams. Bruce is Head of Interpretation at the Botanic Gardens of Wales and suggested how we could encourage visitors to enjoy such a nature reserve, and what consideration we would have to take in account in opening up the woodland to the public.

We also discussed how we could work with other bodies such as Natural Resources Wales and Brecon Beacons National Park in ways that could inform there own biodiversity plans and research projects. Thereby actively promoting the link between fungal diversity and ecological resilience.

One of the great contributions of local fungi groups to the retention and sharing of knowledge of mushrooms and fungi is the processes they use to record species of fungi. As such, with the recommendation of Hywel Evans, we are putting in place a process of formally recording the species we find in the woodland with our local biodiversity record centre the West Wales Biodiversity Information Centre. The WWBIC provides an app for recording wildlife here:

LERC Wales App

Only 56 speices have had their conservation status globally evaluated by the IUCN red list compared with 25,452 plants and 68,054 animal. Considering that it is an estmated to be somewhere bewtween 2.2 to 3.8 million speices (a number that far exceeds the diversity of the plant and animal kingdoms) of which we have only, as yet, identified approximately 150,000 it is likely that there a significantly more speices at risk. Habitat destruction, climate change, and environmental degradation are all contributing factors for the abmysmal loss of bio-diversity we are seeing today, we are causing a mass exiction event becasue of the way we choose to live and our ignorance of our interconnectedness with all living beings. We need to create more refugia that will serve as havens of biological preservation while we, hopefully, take action to prevent this catastrophy.

This is exactly what we want to achieve with the Refungium project, a living fungarium, with a the highest concentration of fungal diversity of any woodland in the UK. It requires a carefully planned long-term mangement plan that makes makes provisions for all the plant and animal fungal interactions that proliferate in a healthy bio-diverse ecosystem.

We are really excited about this project and we would like to encourage anyone who shares this enthusiasm to get involved and join us in this project.

We will hold the Second Refungium meeting on Saturday 18th April, if you would like to come along please get in touch. We can’t promise anything but we find some morels! Here a picture of a mystifying morel from last year:

*The strains of some of the species used for these early installations in this small fungal “forest garden” were non-native. However, this may not be appropriate for such a proposed regional Refugium.

91 Comments

  1. Filmizlesene ile hızlı film izleme fırsatını yakala, en yeni ve iyi filmleri Full HD 1080p kalitesiyle online ve bedava izle. Jeremy Cardin
  2. Filmizlesene ile hızlı film izleme fırsatını yakala, en yeni ve iyi filmleri Full HD 1080p kalitesiyle online ve bedava izle. Waylon Niedringhaus
  3. Filmizlesene ile hızlı film izleme fırsatını yakala, en yeni ve iyi filmleri Full HD 1080p kalitesiyle online ve bedava izle. Daniel Menhennett
  4. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your blog? Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better. Youve got an awful lot of text for only having 1 or 2 pictures. Maybe you could space it out better? Brenton Grado
  5. Thanks for your own work on this website. My niece takes pleasure in working on research and it is simple to grasp why. We all notice all relating to the powerful ways you render worthwhile tricks via your website and therefore welcome response from website visitors on this topic while our own simple princess is without question understanding so much. Take pleasure in the rest of the year. Your performing a wonderful job. Danial Mizer
  6. I know this if off topic but I'm looking into starting my own blog and was curious what all is required to get setup? I'm assuming having a blog like yours would cost a pretty penny? I'm not very web savvy so I'm not 100% sure. Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Kudos
  7. fantastic submit, very informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not realize this. You must continue your writing. I'm confident, you've a great readers' base already!
  8. I do not know whether it's just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your website. It looks like some of the written text in your content are running off the screen. Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as well? This may be a issue with my internet browser because I've had this happen before. Appreciate it
  9. Do you mind if I quote a few of your articles as long as I provide credit and sources back to your weblog? My website is in the very same area of interest as yours and my users would really benefit from some of the information you provide here. Please let me know if this ok with you. Regards!
  10. It's appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it's time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Maybe you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read even more things about it!
  11. I like the helpful info you provide in your articles. I'll bookmark your blog and take a look at once more here regularly. I am slightly sure I'll be informed a lot of new stuff proper here! Best of luck for the next!
  12. Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to mention that I have really enjoyed surfing around your weblog posts. After all I'll be subscribing for your rss feed and I'm hoping you write once more very soon!
  13. What i don't realize is in truth how you are now not actually much more neatly-preferred than you may be right now. You're so intelligent. You realize therefore significantly in terms of this topic, made me in my view consider it from a lot of varied angles. Its like men and women aren't involved except it's something to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs nice. Always deal with it up!
  14. Oh my goodness! Amazing article dude! Thanks, However I am encountering problems with your RSS. I don't know why I am unable to join it. Is there anyone else getting identical RSS issues? Anyone that knows the solution will you kindly respond? Thanx!!
  15. After checking out a few of the blog posts on your web site, I really appreciate your way of blogging. I book-marked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Please check out my website too and tell me how you feel.
  16. Greetings! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website? I'm getting tired of Wordpress because I've had problems with hackers and I'm looking at options for another platform. I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.
  17. Great work! That is the kind of info that are meant to be shared around the web. Shame on the search engines for no longer positioning this submit higher! Come on over and discuss with my website . Thanks =)
  18. It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it's time to be happy. I've read this post and if I could I want to suggest you few interesting things or suggestions. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!
  19. Heya i'm for the first time here. I came across this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out much. I am hoping to present one thing back and help others such as you helped me.
  20. Have you ever considered publishing an ebook or guest authoring on other sites? I have a blog centered on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my viewers would value your work. If you're even remotely interested, feel free to shoot me an e mail.
  21. I used to be suggested this blog by my cousin. I am no longer certain whether this put up is written through him as no one else know such precise approximately my problem. You are wonderful! Thanks!
  22. Thank you for some other informative web site. The place else may I am getting that kind of info written in such an ideal way? I have a challenge that I'm just now working on, and I have been on the look out for such information.
  23. I loved as much as you'll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come more formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this hike.
  24. It's a pity you don't have a donate button! I'd most certainly donate to this excellent blog! I suppose for now i'll settle for bookmarking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will talk about this site with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
  25. Excellent blog right here! Additionally your web site lots up fast! What host are you the usage of? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink to your host? I desire my web site loaded up as quickly as yours lol
  26. Its like you learn my thoughts! You appear to understand so much about this, such as you wrote the ebook in it or something. I believe that you just could do with some p.c. to power the message home a bit, but instead of that, that is wonderful blog. An excellent read. I will certainly be back.
  27. Hello! I've been reading your site for some time now and finally got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Huffman Texas! Just wanted to say keep up the fantastic work!
  28. My spouse and I stumbled over here from a different web address and thought I may as well check things out. I like what I see so now i'm following you. Look forward to looking into your web page again.
  29. We're a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site provided us with helpful information to work on. You've performed a formidable activity and our whole group can be grateful to you.
  30. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I'll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back in the future. Many thanks
  31. Fantastic beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your website, how can i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been a little bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear idea
  32. I believe this is one of the most vital info for me. And i'm happy reading your article. However should remark on few basic issues, The site taste is perfect, the articles is really excellent : D. Good process, cheers
  33. Hello! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a quick shout out and say I really enjoy reading through your blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects? Thanks a ton!
  34. Hello, i believe that i saw you visited my website thus i came to go back the choose?.I'm trying to in finding things to improve my site!I assume its good enough to use a few of your concepts!!
  35. Hello, i think that i saw you visited my blog thus i came to go back the desire?.I am attempting to find issues to enhance my website!I guess its adequate to make use of some of your ideas!!
  36. Hello there, You've done an incredible job. I will definitely digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I am confident they'll be benefited from this web site.
  37. Pretty section of content. I just stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I acquire in fact enjoyed account your blog posts. Any way I will be subscribing to your augment and even I achievement you access consistently fast.
  38. Does your website have a contact page? I'm having trouble locating it but, I'd like to send you an email. I've got some suggestions for your blog you might be interested in hearing. Either way, great site and I look forward to seeing it grow over time.
  39. It's actually a nice and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
  40. Hey there! This is kind of off topic but I need some help from an established blog. Is it very difficult to set up your own blog? I'm not very techincal but I can figure things out pretty fast. I'm thinking about making my own but I'm not sure where to begin. Do you have any points or suggestions? Cheers
  41. Excellent goods from you, man. I have take into account your stuff previous to and you're simply extremely magnificent. I really like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you're saying and the way wherein you say it. You are making it enjoyable and you continue to care for to keep it smart. I can't wait to read much more from you. That is actually a terrific web site.
  42. Hello I am so glad I found your blog page, I really found you by accident, while I was researching on Digg for something else, Anyways I am here now and would just like to say thank you for a remarkable post and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the fantastic b.
  43. Woah! I'm really enjoying the template/theme of this site. It's simple, yet effective. A lot of times it's difficult to get that "perfect balance" between usability and appearance. I must say you have done a awesome job with this. Also, the blog loads super fast for me on Safari. Outstanding Blog!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • No products in the cart.