Hebden Royd Town Council Climate Emergency - International Fungus first found at High Hirst

International Fungus first found at High Hirst

A previously unnamed species of fungus, belonging to the Dotted Fanvault family (Hodophilus atropunctus) has been discovered at HRTC-managed High Hirst Woodmeadow. DNA analysis of samples shows this to be a new, unnamed species, although the same DNA signature has been picked up in a single Welsh specimen and a single Slovakian specimen.

The discovery was made by local National Trust grassland fungi expert Steve Hindle and his team of volunteers whilst undertaking the High Hirst Woodmeadow Annual Fungi Survey in November 2023.

Above: A previously unnamed species of fungus, belonging to the Dotted Fanvault family (Hodophilus atropunctus) has been discovered at HRTC-managed High Hirst Woodmeadow.

The find further cements High Hirst Woodmeadow's reputation as an internationally significant biodiversity hotspot. Surveys carried out in previous years have also identified two rare fungi species classified as 'Near Threatened' on the UK Red Data list, along with four globally threatened species classified as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN classification scale.

Further, the 2023 High Hirst Woodmeadow Annual Fungi Report (also authored by Hindle) noted that the Woodmeadow meets the criteria to be designated SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) status, attributed to the thriving abundance of the Clavariaceae family of grassland fungi on-site.

Hindle said: "This really does illustrate how important High Hirst Woodmeadow and other local grasslands in the Calderdale area are. This is a member of the D group of CHEGD fungi, which are the rarest anyway. So far, I have found 12 different species in Calderdale, 3 of which are new to science. The SSSI threshold is 3".

Chair of the HRTC Climate Emergency Committee, Cllr Nikki Harvey added: "'HRTC is excited that this incredibly rare fungi has been found at High Hirst Woodmeadow. We are lucky to have Steve Hindle and our amazing volunteers completing our annual fungi surveys that made this possible."

Added: Friday 5 April 2024