Waxcap grassland

[1] The association of waxcaps with unimproved (nutrient-poor) grasslands was first noted in 1949 in the Netherlands,[2] but current interest was stimulated by a series of papers published by Dutch mycologist Eef Arnolds in the 1980s.

[6] Waxcap grasslands are characterized by being unimproved (unfertilized and nutrient-poor), short-sward (through grazing or mowing), moss-rich, and long-established (not recently sown).

[9] The past 75 years have witnessed a loss of more than 90% of unimproved grasslands in western Europe, mainly due to agricultural intensification[10] through ploughing and reseeding, manuring, and the application of fertilizers and other chemicals.

[4][7] The maintenance of a short sward by grazing or mowing (and removal or cuttings) has also been shown to be important for fruiting of waxcaps, with haycutting in July, followed by aftermath grazing/mowing to 3 cm having found to be optimal.

[10] Nonetheless, five species characteristic of waxcap grasslands - Entoloma bloxamii, Porpolomopsis calyptriformis, Hygrocybe spadicea, Microglossum atropurpureum, and Microglossum olivaceum - were formerly the subject of national Biodiversity Action Plans[11] and waxcap grasslands as a specific habitat were the subject of several local Biodiversity Action Plans.

[15] JNCC (Joint Nature Conservation Committee) has issued "Guidelines for the Selection of Biological SSSIs" (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) that offer a measure of protection to waxcap grasslands.