Don’t be afraid of the f-word: prospects for integrating fungi into biodiversity monitoring

Abstract

Fungi are diverse and functionally significant components of ecosystems yet are omitted from current ecological monitoring in Victoria, especially in relation to fire. The taxonomic and morphological diversity of fungi complicates identification but sampling by molecular profiling is now a practical alternative to specialised and time-consuming methods of culturing and fruit-body survey. Suggestions are provided to guide the implementation of ecological monitoring of fungi.