BAP Species and the Law

[cybershot]

A recent commentary on one of Nick's Gallery shots raised the question of species listed on the UK Biodiversity Action Plan and and the legal position surrounding them. Despite looking at relevant websites I am still not too sure what constitutes this list (Nick states three species, ABFG states 67) or what the implications are. I vaguely remember Fungus Ken broaching this subject on WAB but a search revealed nothing, and it was mooted some time ago that a sticky thread about the legal aspects of fungi foraying should be posted.

I would be grateful if someone could clear the fog surrounding this aspect of our hobby.

David

[NickCantle]

Well, three that I listed are currently BAP species.

The 67 listed on the ABFG website are Provisional BAP species. The text on the page reads;

The list below includes the 67 species of UK fungi that are currently proposed for Biodiversity Action Plans.

So I guess it's good (but bad that they've had to resort to adding more propositions for the BAP group.) that people are noticing declines in species and taking actions to protect them in years to come.

Nick

[NickCantle]

Thought it might be useful to show the comments exchanged by Goosey and I on an image I uploaded recently.

Originally Posted by Goosey

Sorry Nick I am probably being a bit dense here, but you say 'This species is Rare and listed as Rare on the Red Data List.' So why have you upended it? Are you not breaking the law or is that only if it is protected?

I worry about this alot, I know so little about fungi but learning all the time and am able to recognise more and more at a glance, but when I don't have a clue and there is only one or two around I never disturb them incase they are rare and protected - I doubt ignorance is a an excuse.

Originally Posted by Nick Cantle

Hi Shirley, it's not breaking the law because it's not one of the four BAP species. I too care for the future of the rare species and that's why If I do choose to 'upend' a specimen, I make sure it is mature enough to be releasing spores. If there were two specimens in the group, then I would have photographed only, but there were over a dozen with new fruitbodies emerging.

I'd like to add that the 'upended' specimen didn't just get discarded into the grass; I have collected it for spore examination and to dry should anyone need a sample of it to confirm my recording.

Nick.

EDIT; To add, the mycelium of a fungus sits in the ground for years and years. The fruitbodies of the fungi are only the evidence that the mycelium is there. Although it is best to avoid picking solitary specimens, if they are picked (which they often are by fungus groups for examination and confirmation), the mycelium remains there to produce more fruitbodies when the time and conditions are correct.

Originally Posted by Goosey

Thanks Nick - it wasn't a criticism , I am just trying to get to grips with this whole fungi thing and understand it more for my own benefit more than anything.

Out of interest what are the four BAP species protected by law?

Originally Posted by Nick Cantle

Oh I know it wasn't a criticism, it's just hard to write all of that lot without sounding boring and sad, lol!

The four British BAP species are Piptoporus quercinus, Battarrea phalloides, Hericium erinaceus and I'm not sure about the last one. I'll look for it and add it in a bit if that's ok?

EDIT; Just checked and there are only three BAP species and I've listed all three

Nick.

[fairplay]

The Nail Fungus, Poronia punctata may be the other, it is included on the Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plan.

Neil.

[NickCantle]

I'll keep my eye open for that

EDIT; Just been browsing Phillips and noticed that the majority of tooth fungi are conserved on the BAP list.

[Gill Catton]

NewPriorityList

Thought this might help.

[CapAndBracket]

Originally Posted by NickCantle

I'll keep my eye open for that

When you find it can you send me one for cultivation, plenty of exmoor ponies
here but it ain't appeared.
Also keep an eye out for it's close relative Podosordaria leporina, it too has
a nail like stem embedded in the substrate but instead of a disc on top it has
a group of perithica (like tiny onions).

Cheers J.P.

[cybershot]

Originally Posted by Gill Catton

NewPriorityList

Thought this might help.

Thanks Gill, so my reading of that indicates that the UK List of Priority Species which has now been adopted as the new UK BAP list contains 76 species of fungi. But what are the implications for the enthusiastic hobby mycologists amongst us?

David

[fairplay]

I think the hobbyist should have nothing to fear David.

If the whole Biodiversity Action Plan Faceless People Group want to make themselves so ridiculously impossible to understand, they only have themselves to blame if people do not know what they can or cannot do regarding collecting species.

In a recent poll only about 25% of people understood what the word 'Biodiversity' meant (Variety of living species)

In England we have Natural England (formerly English Nature) to carry out this sort of work for us, we just do not need these extra invisible groups to complicate matters.

Neil.

[Gill Catton]

basically I agree it probably won't affect the hobbyist. The BAP is just a list of species that ultimately (and through concurrent legislation) have to be taken into consideration in planning and conservation measures.

Its also worth noting that proper targets associated with the plans have not yet been released. It is likely that for a number of species the target it just to get a better idea of distribution or research something specific.

It would be other legislation that might prevent harm I think