One of the world’s leading mycologists was in Pembrokeshire recently to cast his expert eye over the county’s rich collection of grassland fungi.

Dr Eef Arnolds was invited to the county by the Pembrokeshire Fungus Recording Network because of his special expertise in the conservation of grassland fungi.

As well as describing the widespread decline in waxcap-grassland fungi, mainly due to loss of suitable habitat, Dr Arnolds highlighted other threatened groups including dung fungi, which is influenced by livestock dietary changes and veterinary treatment, and fire-site fungi, whose decline is the result of stricter controls on wood burning in the countryside.

The programme included a weekend residential foray and workshop based at Cuffern Manor.

Participants visited key sites in north Pembrokeshire and were given expert tuition and guidance in the identification of grassland species.

The foray was attended by local network members, together with a number of mycologists from outside the county. The site visits were organised by Jane Hodges, ecologist for the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority, and an enthusiastic member of the network.

Dr Arnolds’ visit concluded with a day at the dune and limestone grasslands of the Stackpole national nature reserve. There he met with Bob Haycock, the Countryside Council for Wales warden based at Stackpole.

Network co-ordinator, David Harries, says the success of the visit was due to Dr Arnolds’ depth of knowledge and passion for grassland fungi, together with his great patience and excellent communication skills.

“Valuable information was gained for a range of sites including National Trust coastal farmland, grazed upland grasslands, cemeteries and a remarkable Victorian town-house garden,” said Mr Harries.