Current status
Date-coloured waxcap is an upland species which occurs mainly on south-facing limestone pastures in sub-montane regions, but has also been recorded on calcareous dunes,
neutral grassland which is dry during the summer, and in mown parkland. This species produces fruiting bodies in most years, but only after heavy rain. The fruiting bodies, which are edible, generally appear in summer and early-autumn and have a brown cap 5-7 cm in diameter with bright yellow gills. This fungus is one of a group of the often brightly-coloured waxcap fungi (
Hygrocybe spp) which are typically associated with unimproved grassland and which are reported to have declined across Europe. However, it is probably under-recorded.
There are several known sites for this species scattered throughout Britain, including sites in Colonsay, Cumberland and Shropshire and also in North, mid, and South Wales. The most recent records are from Slapton on the south Devon coast, where it was discovered in 1994, and a site in mid Wales where it was discovered in 1997. Elsewhere, it occurs in sub-montane regions throughout Europe, as far south as Spain.
In Great Britain date-coloured waxcap is classified as Vulnerable. It receives general protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. This species is also included on the European provisional red data list.
Current factors causing loss or decline
Population trends in this species are poorly understood, but potential threats to extant sites may include the following:
Improvement of its grassland habitat through ploughing or addition of fertilisers.
Reduction in the levels, or cessation, of grazing or mowing, leading to growth of rank vegetation and woody species.
Stabilisation and associated vegetation succession on its dune sites.
Trampling is a potential threat at one site in Wales which is visited by large numbers of people each year.
Current action
The British Mycological Society is undertaking a `waxcap grassland` survey which began in 1996.
Action plan objectives and targets
Maintain populations of this species at all extant sites.
Proposed actions with lead agencies
Policy and legislation
Ensure that the requirements of date-coloured waxcap are considered in the event of coastal defence work being proposed near to its dune sites on the south Devon coast. (ACTION: DETR, EA)
Site safeguard and management
Where possible, provide mechanisms (such as management agreements on SSSIs and relevant agri-environment schemes) to encourage grazing or continued mowing on all extant grassland sites. (ACTION: CCW, NE, LAs, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Control scrub invasion on all extant sites where considered to be threatening population viability. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Ensure regular assessment of threats posed by visitors to grassland and sand-dune sites where date-coloured waxcap occurs, and implement measures (such as fencing) where necessary to ensure that these threats are minimised. (ACTION: CCW, NE)
Consider notifying as SSSIs sites with viable populations of this species where this is consistent with selection guidelines and where this is necessary to ensure their long-term protection and appropriate management. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Species management and protection
None proposed.
Advisory
Advise landowners and land managers of the presence and importance of date-coloured waxcap, specific management for its conservation, and any potentially damaging actions. Landowners and managers should have access to specialist advice if needed. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
As far as possible, advise relevant agri-environment scheme project officers of the locations for this species and the need to encourage appropriate grazing regimes at these sites. (ACTION: CCW, NE, MAFF, SNH, SOAEFD, WOAD)
Future Research and Monitoring
Conduct a search for this species, following suitable weather, on selected south-facing, short-turfed
calcareous grassland sites, in order to establish a better understanding of its UK distribution. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, SNH)
Ensure that all sites from which this species has been recorded are visited regularly during appropriate weather so as to monitor the status of this species at each, and to assess changes in habitat quality. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Commission a research project to investigate the ecology of this species with a view to refining management for its conservation. (ACTION: CCW, NE, SNH)
Communications and Publicity
Encourage mycologists to pass all records of date-coloured waxcap, including ecological information, to a national database by 2002. (ACTION: CCW, EHS, NE, JNCC, SNH)
Liaise with specialist societies to increase the awareness and identification skills of mycologists and other naturalists in relation to this species, 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, p47)
Related links
ARKive Visit the ARKive website to view images and further information relating to this species