Current status
This group of stipitate hydnoid fungi are known as `stalked tooth fungi` because the spore-bearing surface beneath the cap is composed of teeth-like projections. These fungi form mycorrhizal associations with either coniferous (C), typically Scots pine in Britain, or broadleaved (B) trees (occasionally both). Threatened tooth fungi in the UK include Bankera fuligineoalba (C), Hydnellum aurantiacum (C), Hydnellum caeruleum (B+C), Hydnellum concrescens (B+C), Hydnellum ferrugineum (C), Hydnellum peckii (C), Hydnellum scrobiculatum (C), Hydnellum spongiospies (B), Phellodon confluens (B), Phellodon melaleucus (B+C), Phellodon tomentosus (C), Sarcodon glaucopus (C), Sarcodon imbricatus (C) and Sarcodon scabrosus (B+C(?)). Although these are all considered to be threatened in the UK, they are almost certainly under-recorded due to their inconspicuous nature and absence of people with skills to identify species in this group. There is some evidence that these species may be able to colonise new areas of suitable habitat in time. For example, tooth fungi have been recorded from some old pine plantations in Scotland.
Many of the species in this group have a stronghold in the Caledonian pine forests of Scotland including Phellodon melaleucus, Phellodon tomentosus, Bankera fuligineoalba, Phellodon confluens, Sarcodon imbricatus, Sarcodon glaucopus, Hydnellum ferrugineum, Hydnellum caeruleum, Hydnellum peckii and Hydnellum aurantiacum. Other important areas for these fungi include the New Forest and Windsor Forest. Some are listed as occurring or having occurred in Wales (Phellodon melaleucus, Phellodon tomentosus, Hydnellum ferrugineum, Hydnellum scrobiculatum) and Northern Ireland (Phellodon melaleucus). Elsewhere, records of these species are scattered throughout continental Europe and have also been recorded from North America.
In Great Britain Hydnellum aurantiacum is classified as Critically Endangered; Bankera fuligineoalba, Hydnellum caeruleum, Hydnellum ferrugineum and Sarcodon scabrosus are all classified as Endangered; Hydnellum concrescens, Hydnellum peckii, Hydnellum scrobiculatum, Hydnellum spongiospies, Phellodon confluens, Phellodon tomentosus, Phellodon melaleucus and Sarcodon imbricatus are all classified as Vulnerable. The recently discovered Sarcodon glaucopus probably merits Endangered status. All the species receive general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, although none are specially protected under Schedule 8. All of these species are included in the provisional red data list of European fungi.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Historic losses of
native pine wood and
wood pasture, and perhaps also recent losses of these habitats to agriculture and building development is likely to have reduced the UK population of these species.
Changing forest practices such as the introduction of clear-felling and underplanting with conifers may have resulted in the loss of some populations, although there is little evidence to support this. Losses of mature host trees to felling, or a break in the ecological continuity of mature trees on a site, may be a significant threat.
Nutrient enrichment of soils, especially by deposition of atmospheric nitrogen, in which these species occur may be a threat at some sites.
Invasion of Rhododendron is believed to be a threat on at least one site.
Current action
Many of the recent sites for these species are within SSSIs and NNRs (eg Abernethy, the New Forest).
Work was recently initiated by the Bucks, Berks and Oxon Naturalists Trust, the British Mycological Society and the Crown Estate to clear areas of Rhododendron which are threatening a site in Windsor where these species occur.
SNH, in collaboration with the RBGE, has established a database of all fungus records in the Cairngorms area, which includes key sites for this group, to inform future management.
An identification book has recently been published by RBG Kew.
SNH have recently commissioned a survey of these fungi in native pine woods.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations at all extant sites.
Achieve colonisation of two new sites by 2010
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Consider the requirements of these species when selecting target areas for the expansion of Scots pine woodland. (ACTION: FC, SNH)
Site safeguard and management
Ensure that semi-natural woods with populations of these species are managed appropriately. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FC, SNH)
Consider notifying as SSSIs, sites with viable populations of tooth fungi, where this is consistent with selection guidelines and is necessary to ensure their long-term protection and appropriate management. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Use the information arising from the survey work proposed under 5.5.2, to aid development of future management plans in the native pine woods of Scotland. (ACTION: FC, SNH)
Assess the threat to sites for threatened hydnoid fungi posed by drift and run-off of agricultural chemicals, or by deposition of atmospheric nitrogen. Where a threat is identified, seek to undertake remedial management to address the problem. (ACTION: CCW, EA, NE, FC, MAFF, SEPA, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Undertake management where appropriate to ensure a continuity of mature trees on all sites with populations of these species (ACTION: CCW, NE, FC, SNH)
Species management and protection
Following the research outlined under 5.5.3, assess the feasibility and desirability of translocating colonies of threatened stipitate hydnoid fungi to suitable areas of recently planted native pine woods, in order to facilitate the spread of this group of species. (ACTION: SNH)
Advisory
Advise landowners and land managers, and relevant agencies, of the presence and importance of tooth fungi, specific management for their conservation, and any potentially damaging actions. Landowners and managers should have access to specialist advice if needed. (ACTION: CCW, NE, FA, SNH)
Future Research and Monitoring
Compile information and resurvey sites where necessary in order to assess the habitat quality at all post-1970 sites and to improve knowledge of the current status of these species at each site. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Commission survey work over three seasons in the native pine woods of Scotland, with the aim of mapping the distribution of threatened stipitate hydnoid fungi and establishing a baseline of information against which future population changes can be assessed. (ACTION: SNH)
Undertake research into aspects of the ecology of these species with a view to assessing their capability to colonise naturally new or existing woodlands, providing techniques for possible translocation attempts, and to refine habitat management for their conservation. (ACTION: NE, SNH)
Communications and Publicity
Encourage mycologists to pass all records of tooth fungi, including ecological information, to a national database by 2002 (ACTION: CCW, NE, JNCC, SNH)
Liaise with specialist societies to increase the awareness and identification skills of mycologists and other naturalists in relation to tooth fungi, through publishing articles or holding identification workshops. (ACTION: CCW, NE, JNCC, SNH)
Links with other action plans
None given.
Publication details
Originally published in: UK Biodiversity Group Tranche 2 Action Plans - Volume III: Plants and fungi (February 1999, Tranche 2, Vol III, p37)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to
Hydnellum concrescens ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to
Hydnellum ferrugineum ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to
Hydnellum scrobiculatum ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to
Hydnellum spongiospies ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to
Phellodon confluens ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to
Phellodon melaleucus ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to
Sarcodon imbricatus