A Survey of Macrofungi on Observatory Hill - Garry Oak Ecosystems ...

O. Ceska - A <strong>Survey</strong> <strong>of</strong> Macr<strong>of</strong>ungi on Observatory Hill:
Fall 2009 and Winter 2009/2010
In my survey, I followed the Intuitive Controlled <strong>Survey</strong> Method as described by the
United States Bureau <strong>of</strong> Land Management in their numerous survey manuals.
The methodology <strong>of</strong> mycological surveys was described in Roberts et al. (2004) and
also in Castellano et al. (1999).
Voucher specimens for most <strong>of</strong> the species collected on the site were preserved and
will be deposited in the University <strong>of</strong> British Columbia Herbarium in Vancouver,
BC. Representative specimens were photographed in the field.
There is general misunderstanding that macr<strong>of</strong>ungi can be easily identified using
macro characteristics alone with the help <strong>of</strong> field guides. In fact, proper identification
requires a compound microscope and appropriate taxonomic literature with good
keys. In some cases, specialized monographs that deal with only one genus are
necessary for reliable identification. According to Castellano et. al. (1999, p. M10)
“three to four days <strong>of</strong> lab work should be anticipated for each successful day <strong>of</strong> field
work.” Our experience from this survey and other surveys shows that this statement
is well justified.
Climate in the year 2010
It is well known that fungi fructification depends on moisture and temperature. All
fungi need moisture but temperature requirements can be different for different
species. The majority <strong>of</strong> them need warm rather than cold temperatures, but many
fungi require a drop in temperature to trigger their fructification.
During the summer months, there is no substantial amount <strong>of</strong> precipitation in the
Victoria area. However, in some years there is unusually high precipitation during
the summer months that results in large number <strong>of</strong> fungal species. This anomaly can
also trigger the occurrence <strong>of</strong> the late summer and early autumn species that do not
occur in the “normal” years with dry summers. One such unusual summer was that <strong>of</strong>
2004. This was our first year <strong>of</strong> the Observatory Hill fungal survey; unfortunately,
our survey started only at the end <strong>of</strong> November and we missed the peak <strong>of</strong> the fungal
season.
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