Page 53 - BR December 2023

December 2023 December 2023
WILD WOODBURY

Going small scale
Rewilding is about thinking large-scale, reinstating
natural processes that can change landscapes.
Letting nature take the lead changes the overall
appearance of Wild Woodbury, but rewilding also
results in changes to the small things too. I was lucky
enough to spend the morning with two of our
wonderful volunteers to survey for tiny creatures. The
target groups we were surveying for were fungus
gnats, craneflies, and beetles associated with fungi.
I’d never put much thought into fungus gnats, but I came away with a real
appreciation for this fascinating group of little creatures. The larvae feed on fungi
growing within the soil aiding the decomposition of organic matter: a vital
regulatory ecosystem service. The adults are tiny, typically 2mm-8mm long. They
can pollinate plants and help with the distribution of mushroom spores. Another
fascinating adaptation of fungus gnats is their ability to survive through winter
conditions due to their possession of antifreeze proteins. It’s great to be adding
new species to our site list, including these intriguing organisms.

Fungi

In the last few weeks, we have seen a vast quantity of rainfall. As a result, a large
number of fungi have popped up across Wild Woodbury. Well over 100 different
species of fungi have been recorded on site already. As well as land that was
previously arable and pasture for livestock, there are some lovely pockets of
woodland on site too. Many species of woodland
fungi are present. Green elf cup stains deadwood
an astonishing turquoise colour. In the 18th and
19th centuries, woodworkers incorporated this
stained wood into mosaic patterns. Small staghorn
is a jelly fungus which grows on deciduous rotting
wood and are gelatinous in texture. The fly agaric is
a classic “toadstool” fungus, which forms symbiotic
relationships with the trees around them, supplying
nutrients to the trees in return for sugars. The
amethyst deceiver typically grows amongst leaf
litter and is a widespread species and is a personal
favourite of mine. Fungi play a hugely important
role in our ecosystems, breaking down organic
matter and releasing nutrients. Restoring natural
processes at Wild Woodbury is sure to benefit these
incredible species!

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