conservation of churchyard fungi in carmarthenshire

Final Report Conservation of Churchyard Fungi in Carmarthenshire

Project Background Waxcaps are part of the lowland grassland habitat community and a local priority with the Carmarthenshire Lowland and Grassland and Heathland Habitat Action Plan. They have been recognised by the Local Biodiversity Action Plan (LBAP) Partnership as a priority for local action and an opportunity to engage with key local groups to highlight the importance of cemeteries and churchyards for biodiversity.

This focus of the project was provided by a talk by Nigel Stringer on ‘A History of Waxcap recording in Carmarthenshire’, given to the Llanelli Naturalist’ Group in February 2010. In this, the need to conserve fungi-rich grasslands in Carmarthenshire’s graveyards was emphasised and guidance provided on how to identify the best sites for conservation.

The key contextual report that informed the talk was a survey of waxcap in Carmarthenshire that was carried out by the Countryside Council for Wales (CCW- Nigel Stringer) in 2000. A total of 208 sites were surveyed, the greatest proportion being religious holdings (cemeteries and churchyards). Whilst 74 of the 187 religious sites surveyed did not support any waxcap fungi, the survey did highlight the importance of some sites in the county for their individual waxcap species. Seven sites which supported nine or more waxcaps stood out – at Abergorlech Church; Capel Y Graif, Trelech; Eglwys yr Efengylaidd, Penygroes; Piscah Chapel Bancffosfelen; Rhos Chapel; St. Anne’s Church Cwmffrwd and Ramoth Cemetary, Cwm Felin Mynach. Considering the small size of these holdings these sites can be considered to be of considerable conservation value within the county.

Recent research by Dr Gareth Griffiths of Aberystwyth University suggests that the UK has the best examples of waxcap grasslands in the world, and that Wales has the highest proportion of high quality waxcap grasslands in the UK. However, to quote Aberystwyth University’s Waxcap Website, ‘Due to the continued loss of unimproved grassland habitats, waxcap grasslands generally and certain waxcap species in particular have become more restricted in their distribution’.

It was apparent from the talk to the Llanelli Naturalists that action was required to conserve waxcaps in religious holdings. Although they appear to be highly important habitats for waxcaps, it is very unlikely that this is either known or appreciated by the churches who manage the land. Examples were given of where the overuse of weedkillers, gravel and tarmac have destroyed waxcap colonies and outlined how inappropriate grass cutting regimes, reseeding and fertiliser application can have highly negative effects.

The Project This project was commissioned by the Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Partnership with funding from CCW. It was run by Bruce Langridge of the National Botanic Garden of Wales (NBGW) who building on previous work, existing information and LBAP targets identified the following objectives: 1. Sites identified by the 2000 survey as being good for waxcaps to be revisited to assess

their current value. 2. Research to identify potentially waxcap-rich sites that were not surveyed in 2000. 3. Religious holdings with good waxcap colonies to be made aware of their value,

persuaded of the need to conserve them and given guidance on how to conserve them.

Project Results All seven sites that supported nine waxcaps or more in 2000 were revisited in October and November 2010. Unfortunately, this particular season was not good for waxcaps. A wet summer, an unusually severe frost in mid October and throughout December, as well as heavy rain in between, meant that none of the churchyards visibly supported more than nine species of waxcap. However, this does not necessarily indicate that any of the graveyards had declined in quality as the appearance of waxcap fruiting bodies is very fickle. Almost all had a few fruiting bodies of Hygrocybe pratensis and H.punicea, perhaps because these are two of the most physically robust fruiting bodies, able to withstand a bit of frost and days of drenching by rainfall. Most of the more physically delicate waxcaps, such as H.psittacinus and H.coccinea, would normally be expected to be seen in large numbers but were barely seen.

However, this project was not intended to carry out a thorough re-survey of the grassland fungi. It was to look at the condition of the graveyards and use this, and observations of the fruiting bodies, to indicate the current state of the habitat.

It is pleasing to report that every one of the seven graveyards visited (Appendix 1) was in a very good condition for sustaining a fungi-rich grassland habitat. Apart from Eglwys yr Efengylaidd, Penygroes which looked like it had not been cut for a few months, each grassland was fairly short, had had its arisings removed and had a good mossy layer under the grass sward. Whilst it could not be certain whether any grassland areas had been lost to car parks, gravel or tarmac, at sites was any signs noted of any recent major ingress into the grasslands. There was also no sign of grassland ‘abuse’ or disturbance apart from some tyre marks from what looked like a quad bike at Eglwys yr Efengylaidd, Penygroes, but this was not significant.

Another important part of the project was to publicise the conservation value of waxcap fungi in graveyards. A press release (see Appendix 4) issued through the National Botanic Garden of Wales’s marketing department proved to be very successful. It led to a 10-minute interview on Good Morning Wales between the author and the BBC’s Gilbert John. There was also extensive coverage in the Western Mail, South Wales Evening Post and Carmarthen Journal. For a day it featured as one of the leading stories on the BBC Wales website and was picked up by various bloggers. It also featured prominently in NBGW’s YrArdd members’ magazine, on NBGW’s website.

The results were mixed. Several emails were received from readers/listeners who wanted a fungi identified or who wanted to inform the project about possible waxcaps they’d seen on various meadows across Wales. Only two enquiries were directly beneficial to this project. One choir singer rang to say there were some funny looking mushrooms in the graveyard at St Anne’s Church, Cwm Ivor. The site was visited and plenty of H.pratensisand some H.chlorophana seen, and advice was subsequently passed on about how to manage the grassland for fungi. The choir singer was very happy and said she would talk to whoever it was who cut the grass.

More exciting was Penboyr Church in Llangeler. An email from a woman who walked her dog there said she thought she had seen some waxcaps. When the site was visited in late November, the best collection of graveyard fungi that the author had ever seen was identified. Across approximately 2 acres, fungi identified included Hygrocybe punicea, H.pratensis, H.psittacinus, H.coccinea, H.virginea, H.laeta, H.nitrata, H. russpcoriaceus,H.reidii, H.conica and a few large patches of H.calyptriformis adjacent to large patches of Clavaria zollingeri, an unmistakable fairly rare associate of high-quality waxcap grassland. The light was fading fast when the survey was undertaken so it is very likely that other

species were missed. The vicar responsible for this site was subsequently contacted (the Reverend Gillibrand), and he is excited to have such interesting fungi and is keen to ensure its long-term conservation. This autumn local fungi enthusiasts will be visiting to carry out a more extensive survey.

A talk given on Carmarthenshire’s fungi to 30+ members of the Llangynog Gardening Club yielded the information from the gardener of the local graveyard that there was definitely no sign of fungi in his patch, a guided walk to NBGW’s waxcap-rich meadow had a more positive response. Perhaps as a result of all the publicity for the project, 64 people turned up for the foray. This resulted in some participants going to their local graveyards armed with a waxcap identification key that was given to them. From this, it is now known that there are plenty of ‘red’ waxcaps in Ferryside’s graveyards and that there “a few waxcap species” at Llannon Church. We may also have also picked up a few new active fungi enthusiasts who will visit these sites next year. An impromptu visit to Llansadwrn Church with biodiversity officer Isabel Macho also revealed a small fungi-rich patch in one part of the graveyard. A comment left in the church visitor book, resulted in an enthusiastic phone call from a church volunteer which established that this particular small patch is tended by a widower whose wife is buried there. His regular mowing, and diligence in removing all arisings, may well have created the perfect conditions for waxcaps, and the earth-tongue we found there, to thrive.

An initial point of contact was made with Alex Glanville, Head of Property Services, Church of Wales. Following advice from the Gwent Wildlife Trust, he was already updating his management guidance for wildlife in churchyards to include care for fungi. We also received positive feedback from John Winton, the National Director of Churches Tourism Network Wales, an organisation which provides maintenance advice to churches across Wales. Letters explaining the quality and value of the graveyard fungi (see Appendix 3) were also sent to the chapels and churches that administer the seven main graveyards visited. The only response came again from a message that had been left in the church’s visitor book. This was at Abergorlech Church that, since the initial survey in 2000 had been revisited by CCW’s Sam Bosenquet. Between the two surveys, the records suggest this looks like being one of the best graveyards for fungi in Carmarthenshire. However, on the day of the visit for this project in mid October, only one lonely H.irrigata was visible. The church volunteer who rang me the next day was underwhelmed too but luckily, a re-visit by Penny David 3 weeks later yielded a much richer list of waxcaps and details of where they can be found within the graveyard. This information was passed this on to the church volunteer who is now enthused enough to spread the word about the value of waxcaps and pass on details on how they can continue to conserve them.

Conclusions1. Carmarthenshire’s best known graveyards for fungi are in a good condition for fungi

conservation.2. Every church member that was directly spoken to was pleased to hear that their

graveyard was an important habitat for fungi and that they would help to ensure the long-term conservation of the fungi. None of them had noticed the fungi before.

3. The advice given to conserve fungi in graveyards is simple, easily understandable and does not clash with those who like to see a neat and tidy graveyard. The only potential problem is mixed messaging when conservationists also promote the need to leave areas of a graveyard to grow a bit wild.

4. The most effective way to contact graveyard managers is to leave a message in the visitor book. This is more likely in Church of Wales churches, which tend to be unlocked than in non-conformist and Methodist chapels which tend to be locked and which also do not tend to have a notice board outside.

5. The media like fungi stories. It is something different for them, has a Welsh-based site-specific angle and allows the use of eye catching imagery.

6. As graveyards have no access restrictions, they offer good opportunities for potential new amateur fungi enthusiasts to become familiarised with waxcaps in their own community.

Recommendations

1. Local fungi enthusiasts who come across graveyards with waxcaps should leave notes in the church’s visitor’s book if possible. This should be along the lines of “This graveyard contains fascinating fungi. If you’d like to find out what it is and how to conserve it, contact …” The contact details can either be their own phone number or that of NBGW. Management advice is very simple and does not necessarily require a site visit. However, a follow up site visit, perhaps in the company of other mycologists may help to enthuse and inform the local church contact.

2. Encourage local wildlife enthusiasts to keep a watchful eye over their local graveyard if it is known to contain waxcaps. This should help to expand the number of fungi enthusiasts throughout the county.

3. Local fungi enthusiasts should consider drip feeding news stories to the media about graveyard fungi. Ideally, the story needs to be slanted towards the general reader, whether this is to emphasise the rareness, the weirdness, the folklore or beauty. This could be also be a short letter to the local paper or community/parish newsletter

4. If waxcaps are found on local fungal forays, tour leaders should take the opportunity to encourage people on the foray to look for waxcaps in their local graveyard.

5. The Carmarthenshire Biodiversity and NBGW websites should have a page dedicated to fungi conservation in graveyards.

6. NBGW to continue to positively respond to enquiries about graveyard fungi, especially those which have been written to but have not yet responded. This might include organising visits to new and existing sites to carry out a site assessment and/or show local volunteers how to identify waxcap and other grassland fungi.

7. The simple methodology of this project could easily be repeated in other Welsh counties.

Bruce Langridge National Botanic Garden of Wales 24th January 2011

Appendix 1 – Graveyards Visited

Graveyards Identified in 2000

Grid Reference Site Condition & Fungi Interest

Site Contact Further Action

St Davids, Abergorlech

SN584337 Short grass, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, rich moss cover.

GeraldineFrancis

Needs re-survey of grassland fungiWithin next 5 years

Capel y Graig, Trelech


Letter sent to Minister – awaiting reply.


Eglwys yr Efengylaidd, Penygroes

SN586134 Medium length grass, no arisings, some trackmarks, rich moss cover.



Pisgah Chapel, Bancffosfelen

SN487121 Medium length grass, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, rich moss cover.



Ramoth Chapel Cemetery, Cwm Felin Mynach




Rhos Chapel SN384353 Short grass, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, rich moss cover.

Letter sent to vicar – awaiting reply.


St Anne's Church,Cwmffrwd


Letter sent to vicar – awaiting reply.


Graveyards Identified of interest in

2010

St Michael’s Church, Talley

SN632328 Medium length grass, some arisings, no obvious disturbance, patchy moss cover. Small patch of 2–3 waxcaps.

St Cadog, Llangadog

SN728257 Short grass height, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, rich moss cover. A few waxcap speciesincludingH.irrigata.

Re-visit in late October 2011.

St Teilo, Llandeilo

SN629222 Medium-long length grass, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, patchy moss cover. Small patch of H.chlorophana

Penboyr Church, Llangeler

SN353364 Medium length grass, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, rich moss cover. 10+ species of Waxcap and large patches of Clavaria zollingeri

Rev. John Gillibrand

Visit by local fungienthusiastsplanned for Autumn 2011.

Capel Dewi Sant,Llansadwrn

SN698355 Medium length grass, arisings, no obvious disturbance, patchy moss cover.One small patch with short grass and no arisings with earth-

Vanessa Hope-Bower & Charles Evans

Would benefit from site visit to meet with on-sitevolunteers

tongue fungi and 2-3 waxcap species

Eglws St. James, Rhos

SN3835 Medium length grass, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, rich moss cover. Seems a very promising site with patches of H.pratensis and H.punicea.


Capel Newydd, Llandeilo

SN6222 Short grass height, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, rich moss cover. Small patch of H.chlorophana

Stan ??

St.Paul’s, Cwm Ifor

SN6525 Short grass height, no arisings, no obvious disturbance, rich moss cover. Good population of H.pratensis

Mair Griffiths

Appendix 2 – Photographs of Graveyards

St Michael’s Church, Llansadwrn. Fungi interest in the greener patch

next to isolated black gravestone.

St.David’s Church, Abergorlech

Rhos Chapel Ramoth Chapel Cemetery

Penboyr Church, Llangeler St.Paul’s Church, Cwm Ifor

Eglwys yr Efengylaidd, Penygroes – note that the fungi is a wood-rotting

type rather than a grassland fungi

Pisgah Chapel, Bancffosfelen

St Anne's Church, Cwmffrwd

Appendix 3 – Letter to Churches and Chapels

Dear Sir or Madam

In the autumn I ran a project on behalf of the Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Partnership to help conserve fungi in Carmarthenshire’s graveyards. I visited Rhos Chapel cemetery as part of this project and I’m writing to let you know that it is one of the best graveyard sites for grassland fungi in the county. You may or may not have noticed but it contains a good variety of vividly colourful and very beautiful wild mushrooms called waxcaps, which have declined significantly from our countryside in recent years, although Wales remains one of the best places to see them in the world. The reason for them thriving in your graveyard is probably the way the lawn has been managed. It is kept short, the cuttings are removed, there is plenty of moss amongst it, it’s not been dug over and no artificial fertiliser or fungicide has been applied to it. Sometimes the presence of fungi in graveyard lawns is seen negatively and occasionally, fungi are inadvertently destroyed by mistake. This letter is to just to draw your attention to them and to encourage you to help conserve them in the future. The best way to do this is to simply continue managing the lawn in the same way. If you’d like to know more, I’d be delighted to let you have more information. Either write to me on the address above, email [email protected] or ring 01558 667162. The fungi fruiting season is mainly between September and December so there will be nothing more to see until next autumn. If you’d like someone to come out then and show you the fungi, I’m sure something could be arranged. Best wishes

Bruce Langridge National Botanic Garden of Wales

Appendix 4 – Press Release

Spread the Word – Churchyard Fungi Needs Your Help Have you ever noticed colourful mushrooms and toadstools in your local churchyard? If so, the National Botanic Garden of Wales would like to hear from you. Carmarthenshire is one of the best places in the Britain to find a group of wild fungi known as waxcaps, fairy cubs, spindles and earth-tongues. These bizarre and beautiful mushrooms come in a variety of strange shapes and vivid colours – reds, yellows, orange, green, purples and pinks – which can stand out in short mown churchyards. The Botanic Garden is helping to conserve these wonderful fungi because they are fast disappearing from farmland which is being treated with chemical fertiliser or ploughed up. Luckily, some churchyards are providing a refuge for these delicate life forms. Their cemeteries tend to be well drained, well mown, have the grass cuttings removed and don’t have fertiliser spread on them. We want to find out where these are and contact the churches to let them know what a valuable piece of biodiversity they have. The Botanic Garden’s Bruce Langridge says: “There are over 400 churchyards in Carmarthenshire but only a few of these are rich in these colourful fungi. Waxcaps, fairy cubs, spindles and earthtongues only really come out in the autumn and we haven’t got time to visit every churchyard. So we desperately need the help of church wardens, vicars, ministers, deacons, people who mow the cemeteries or even dog walkers who pass through cemeteries, to let me know if they think they’ve seen these fungi. Myself or a local fungi expert will then come out to identify the fungi, and if they are worth conserving, I’ll tell the churchyard owner how to conserve them.” Bruce would like to stress that none of these fungi are dangerous to health and should be seen as an asset for the church, reflecting how well managed the churchyards are. He adds “Local mycologist Nigel Stringer carried out a survey of Carmarthenshire’s churchyard fungi in 2002. At a talk he gave to the Llanelli Naturalists’ Society earlier this year, he showed how some of these churchyards have been tarmacced over, cut inappropriately or even built over. Now if you don’t know you’ve got a wonderful natural asset, you won’t know of the need to conserve it.” If you see, or have seen, fungi that look like these in a Carmarthenshire cemetery, could you let Bruce Langridge know? He can be contacted by either emailing [email protected] or give him a ring on 01558 667162. This project has been commissioned by the Carmarthenshire Biodiversity Partnership and funded by the Countryside Council for Wales.

conservation of churchyard fungi in carmarthenshire

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