Roy Watling (born 1938) is a Scottish mycologist who has made significant contributions to the study of fungi both in the identification of new species and correct taxonomic placement, as well as in fungal ecology.
Watling was the Head of Mycology and Plant Pathology and Acting Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
[4] In 1998, the Royal Society of Edinburgh awarded him the Neill Medal, a triennial distinction recognising outstanding work by a Scottish naturalist.
[5] While much of his work has been identifying and expanding knowledge of fungi in the tropics, Watling has also done extensive research in much of the UK and North America.
[8] The unique geographic composition of these islands and limited human influence make the Hebrides an exciting location for fungal diversity.
His work focusing on chloromethane production provides evidence of the role of white-rot fungi in the tropical rainforest methane cycle.
This information also suggests the more significant impact of white-rot wood decay fungi in developing a microbial soil sink for chloromethane.
[25] This information and his paper published in 1981 on macromycetes and development in higher plant communities illustrate the uniquely important role ECM fungi have in the UK.