On species richness estimates, climate change and host shifts in wood-inhabiting fungi

摘要: Summary In a recent paper in Fungal Ecology, Gange et al. (2011) concluded that the wood-inhabiting basidiomycote Auricularia auricula-judae has widened its host range and changed phenology since 1980 study area southern England, most likely as response to global warming. At same time authors report, number of macrofungi fruiting on Sambucus nigra, common A. auricula-judae, tripled, while another fungus preferring S. Hyphodontia sambuci, remained constant. We challenge these conclusions point out reported changes may just well reflect change foraying quality over time. To support this statement we present an analysis data from ongoing mapping project Denmark. show species accumulation curves richness estimators are highly context specific, random sampling by amateurs specialists provide very different representations actual patterns nature. three analysed behave differently context, hence not straight forward compare based amateur forays. conclude more rigorous standardising procedures needed reach sound scientific conclusion analyses foray