The emergence and coalescence of fungal conservation social networks in Europe and the U.S.A.

Fungal conservation emerged in the 1980s when mycologists gained considerable insight into fluctuations and trends in fungal populations throughout Europe and the United States of America. Concerns arose over the possible decline of many macrofungi and likely consequences for ecosystem function and global change. Increased harvesting of edible species for international markets also sparked concerns about overharvesting and associated habitat disturbance, particularly in the U.S.A. This paper identifies two social networks that have coalesced around these concerns. They are: (1) professional, and (2) non-professional. Professional mycologists are active in societies, international forums, and governments. A wide range of non-professionals engage with fungi for recreational, scientific, economic and subsistence purposes. The paper identifies areas of collaboration and disconnection among these social networks and their composites, and suggests benefits from further integration that will strengthen this nascent field. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd and The British Mycological Society. All rights reserved.