Editing Great Otway National Park (section)

== Fungi ==

{{More citations needed section|date=August 2020}}
The Great Otway National Park is extremely rich in fungal diversity. Although hundreds of species of flora and fauna are listed in the [http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/313282/great-otway-np-mp.pdf Great Otway National Park Management Plan] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331154454/http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/313282/great-otway-np-mp.pdf |date=31 March 2012 }}, there is only a single reference to fungi. The reference is to the fungal pathogen, ''Chalara australis'' that affects myrtle beech. However, the great majority of fungi in the Park perform beneficial ecological roles. In fact, most fungi perform positive rather than negative roles. Even parasitic fungi – often regarded only negatively – are a vital part of healthy ecosystems, regulating ecosystem functions.

As primary recyclers of organic matter, saprobic fungi break down fallen branches and leaf litter, making vital nutrients available to other organisms. Other fungi form symbiotic relationships with other organisms. Although rarely acknowledged, the great majority of plants in the [http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/great-otway-national-park Great Otway National Park] (indeed in the world) form mutually beneficial [[mycorrhiza]]l relationships with fungi.

Given the great diversity of plants, specialist habitats and micro-climates in the park, a great diversity of fungi, including lichens, is also expected to occur there. Two hundred and seventy-eight species of fungi are listed in the [http://www.ala.org.au/ Atlas of Living Australia]. This is likely to be only a fraction of the total number of fungal species that grow in the Park.

Despite their essential roles in underpinning terrestrial ecosystems, fungi are barely recognised as a vital part of Australia's biodiversity. Although Australia has national and state level biodiversity conservation strategies and has ratified international conventions, most overlook fungi. There is currently no statewide biodiversity strategy for managing biodiversity in Victoria and the [https://web.archive.org/web/20150407084109/http://www.colacotway.vic.gov.au/Files/9387_ENVIRO_STRAT_fin_web.pdf Colac Otway Shire Environment Strategy] makes no reference to fungi. There is however, a great deal of interest in fungi among the local community. The [http://soln.org/ Southern Otways Landcare Network] have been actively involved in learning about and surveying the Park's fungi in recent years and produced a guide to one hundred of the more easily recognisable fungal species found in the park.

The Australian citizen-science organisation, [http://fungimap.org.au/ Fungimap] is also documenting and mapping the distribution of fungi including those that occur in the Great Otway National Park.

One of the tiniest yet conspicuous species found in the wetter parts of the park is the ruby bonnet (''[[Mycena viscidocruenta]]''). The ghost fungus (''[[Omphalotus nidiformis]]'') grows on trees and is another easily recognisable species, especially at night when it glows a pale green. The rosette fungus (''[[Podoscypha petalodes]]'') often appears in funnel-shaped rosettes at the base of trees and among leaf litter and is widespread throughout the park. The flame fungus (''[[Clavaria miniata]]'') grows singly or in groups on soil.

<gallery>
File:Clavaria miniata CLA4199.jpg|''[[Clavaria miniata]]'' (flame fungus)
File:Omphalotus nidiformis OMP 9722.jpg|''[[Omphalotus nidiformis]]''
File:Mycena viscidocruenta MYC6796.JPG|''[[Mycena viscidocruenta]]''
File:Podoscypha petalodes POD0137.jpg|''[[Podoscypha petalodes]]''
</gallery>