Fungi

In 2010, as part of the initiative to review the State of Knowledge on Ireland’s Biological Diversity the National Biodiversity Data Centre produced an inventory of sources of biodiversity data. The inventory was developed by inviting recognised national experts to identify the state of knowledge.

The Biodiversity Inventory is laid complete in sections following taxonomic grouping with an overview. Each section follows the same format; Irish checklist, number of species, primary sources of distribution data, National conservation assessment, and monitoring or repeat surveys in place. This layout allows the reader to compare the state of knowledge of different groups.

Laccaria laccata

Irish checklist

No complete Irish checklist.

Legon, N.W., Henrici, A., Roberts, P.J., Spooner, B.M. & Watling, R., 2005. Checklist of the British and Irish Basidiomycota. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Henderson, D.M., 2000. A Checklist of the Rust Fungi of the British Isles. British Mycological Society, Cambridge, England, UK.
Fox, H., 2001. Census catalogue of the lichenicolous fungi of Ireland (~150 species). National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.

Number of fungi species

Approximately 5,500 known species (estimated at 9,000)

Yellow Brain Fungus (Tremella mesenterica)

Primary sources of distribution data

There is no national fungal database, although there are many sources of distribution data:

The Fungal Records Database of Britain and Ireland (FRDBI)* maintained by the British Mycological Society, contains Irish records made by UK and Irish recorders.
The Northern Ireland Fungus Group
National Herbarium, National Botanic Gardens, Dublin.
Muskett & Malone (1978-1985) Catalogue of Irish fungi I-VI, Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy.
Outside the FRDBI, there are individuals with significant private databases (more than 2000 records): M Cullen & H Fox (3,500+ records), D. Mitchel (3,000+ records), R. McHugh (2,000+ records).

A bibliography of fungal work in Ireland was published in 2008: Mangan, A., 2008. A bibliography of mycology and plant pathology in Ireland, 1976 to 2000. Glasra 4: 119 – 188.

*Databases held by the National Biodiversity Data Centre and made accessible through Biodiversity Maps.

National conservation assessment

Common Puffball (Lycoperdon perlatum)

Monitoring or repeat surveys in place

Edible and biodiversity plot studies (Maria Cullen 2007-2009, University of Limerick).
Waxcap surveys in counties W. Dongeal, W. Mayo, W. Cork & Clare (David Mitchell 2006-2009).