New Zealand Journal of Botany abstracts
Conservation of New Zealand and Australian fungi
Peter K. Buchanan
Landcare Research
Private Bag 92170
Auckland, New Zealand
Email: buchananp@LandcareResearch.co.nz
Tom W. May
Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne
Private Bag 2000
South Yarra, Victoria 3141, Australia
Abstract Until recently, fungi have been omitted from
conservation initiatives in New Zealand and Australia, despite their importance
to biodiversity, to ecosystem functioning, and to humanity. Whole ecosystem
conservation has been assumed to encompass fungi along with other biota.
In a renewed assessment of threat status by the New Zealand Department of
Conservation, 49 species of fungi have been accorded the highest threat category
and are considered to be “nationally critical”; several of these are discussed
as case studies. In Australia, ten species and one community of fungi are
listed under various legislation at the Federal and State level; case studies
of six Australian species are presented. A majority of Australasian fungal
species are known from very few collections, often restricting conclusions
about their conservation status. Proposals towards effective conservation
of Australasian fungi are outlined, and priorities presented for allocation
of additional resources.
Keywords conservation; endangered; fungi; legislation;
IUCN; rare; threatened
B03010 Received 7 March 2003; accepted 23 June 2003; Online publication
date 11 September 2003
New Zealand Journal of Botany, 2003, Vol. 41: 407-421
0028-825X/03/4103-0407 $7.00 © The Royal Society of New Zealand
2003
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