Nidderdale grasslands confirmed as internationally important for rare fungi

Grasslands in Nidderdale have been confirmed as being of international and national importance for rare grassland fungi, following expert surveys carried out across three sites in the National Landscape.

Specialist grassland fungi surveys by Steve Hindle recorded 45 species of grassland fungi, including 25 species of waxcaps. Two of the sites surveyed, including Make it Wild’s Bank Wood nature reserve, were described as internationally important, while a third, smaller site was classed as nationally important.

Across all three sites, 15 species listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List were recorded, including 14 species assessed as Vulnerable and one species, the glistening waxcap, which is classed as Endangered, meaning it faces an even higher risk of extinction.

At Bank Wood alone, 11 species recorded during the survey are listed as Vulnerable to Extinction on the IUCN Red List, placing them in the same global risk category as well-known species such as polar bears and giant pandas.

Why Nidderdale’s grasslands matter

Waxcaps and other grassland fungi are recognised indicators of ancient, unimproved grassland. They only thrive where land has avoided ploughing, artificial fertilisers and pesticides for long periods of time, and where grassland management has remained consistent over decades.

The UK is internationally important for grassland fungi due to its wet climate, and northern upland areas such as Nidderdale are particularly valuable because they retain larger areas of long-established grassland.

While Nidderdale’s upland grasslands were long thought to have strong potential for supporting rare fungi, systematic survey work had previously been limited. These surveys are the first to formally document the area’s significance, confirming what conservationists have suspected but had not been able to evidence through detailed records.

More still to be discovered

The findings are based on a single survey visit, and further surveys are expected to record additional species.

Dr Kelly Harmar, Biodiversity Officer at Nidderdale National Landscape, said:

“These results show just how important Nidderdale’s grasslands are. Waxcaps and other grassland fungi only thrive where land has avoided ploughing, artificial fertilisers and pesticides for a very long time. When you see this level of diversity from a single visit, it strongly suggests there is much more still to be discovered.”

“These fungi depend on continuity,” she added. “Short turf, low nutrient levels and consistent management over decades allow them to survive. Once that continuity is lost, it is extremely difficult to restore.”

Working with landowners and partners

The surveys were commissioned by the North and East Yorkshire Ecological Data Centre and funded by Nidderdale National Landscape through the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) programme, which supports farmers and land managers to deliver projects that benefit nature, climate and people.

The work forms part of wider efforts to raise awareness of waxcaps and other grassland fungi, and to encourage people to record sightings during the autumn fruiting season. Public records help build a clearer picture of where important grassland fungi occur and support efforts to protect these valuable sites.

Nidderdale National Landscape continues to work closely with landowners, farmers and conservation partners to identify, manage and protect grasslands that support waxcaps and other rare fungi.