Worth Forest is a site of ancient woodland on the outskirts of Crawley in West Sussex. It lies within an AONB (Area of Outstanding Beauty) and part of the site is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Despite this, the site is threatened with development.

Fungi play an important role in the ecosystem of Worth Forest, in both the soil and the trees. Fungi are crucial in decomposing organic matter and releasing nutrients, which are then available to other species. Without fungi, the soil would not be able to support the forest's vegetation and animals. 

Fungi also have a symbiotic relationship with the trees and plants in the forest. Through the process of mycorrhizae, fungi form a mutually beneficial relationship with the roots of trees, helping them to absorb water and nutrients from the soil. This symbiotic relationship is essential for the health of the forest. 

A group of Sussex mycologists are involved with recording fungal biodiversity at the site, with regular planned visits throughout 2023. Scroll to the bottom of this page for a list of target species.

Below is a photo gallery of fungi that have been recorded at Worth Forest during the duration of this project, it serves to remind us of the incredible fungal biodiversity which could so easily be lost to development. By clicking on the photos you can see other images including microscopy.

Target Species

Below is a list of target species extracted from JNCC's 'Guidelines for the Selection of Biological SSSIs'

Species already recorded at Worth Forest have been highlighted and ticked