Research

FUNGIMAP

Fungimap is an Australia wide scheme to map the distribution of 100 species of Australian mushrooms, toadstools and other fungi using the information sent in by a network of volunteer recorders across Australia. The 100 species are referred to as the “target” species.

Anyone can become a Fungimap recorder. Reports of sightings, supplying specific data, are sent to Fungimap and then collated to develop a database of the “target” species’ distribution across Australia. Fungimap is administered from Melbourne, and is supported by the Victorian Field Naturalists and the Royal Botanic Gardens.

Fungimap recorders, who are Queensland residents, would be happy to provide more details and can assist anyone interested in becoming a Fungimap recorder.
Sapphire McMullan-Fisher (Palmwoods);
Susan Waite (Bundaberg); and
Ray and Noreen Baxter (Brisbane).

Past Research Projects:

Macrofungi Kits

Vivienne Nash, a volunteer with the Queensland Museum Loans, is involved in a fungi project:
Queensland Museum Loans is planning a project to develop macrofungi kits for use in schools and community groups. If you are interested or know of anyone else who could assist, particularly in making models and/or illustrations of fungi, please contact Vivien Nash (Queensland Mycological Society Inc. member) or Chris Purdie, Manager, Queensland Museum Loans.

Coralloid genus Ramaria Research

Queensland mycologists Dr Tony Young and Nigel Fechner of the Qld Herbarium have received an ABRS grant to research the coralloid genus Ramaria. Anybody interested and wanting to support the research can become a field worker for this project.

THE QMS/IBISCA PROJECT (previously known as the QMS/BATH Project)

The BATH (Biodiversity at the Heights) Project is an international collaboration that will determine which groups of organisms are the best climate change predictors at different altitudinal zones, and which survey methods pick up these changes most effectively and efficiently.
BATH will quantify changes in biodiversity and species composition along an altitudinal gradient in Lamington National Park, Southeast Queensland.
The QMS/IBISCA project covers only the fungal survey involving volunteer QMS members.

Friday 10 November, 2006 - the 700ASL (Above Sea Level) sites.
11 November, 2006 - the 1100ASL sites. IQ-1100-B which is on a 25o slope, and IQ-1100-D is flat.
Sunday 12 March, 2007 - the 900ASL sites were targetted.
The second phase of the QMS/IBISCA Project took place over the weekend 23 and 24 February 2007.

Brisbane City Council: Macrofungi and Impacts of Climate Change Consultancy.

Given the fundamental role macrofungi play in Australian ecosystems, in both food webs and ecosystem cycles (eg energy and nutrients), a specific appraisal of macrofungi vulnerabilities is needed to enable the broader risk assessment project to proceed and deliver its intended outcomes.

Dr Tony Young and Mr Nigel Fechner have been commissioned to undertake this important work. It is envisaged a report will be available mid 2008.