Mycology and its future in the Asia-Pacific region

Abstract

To fulfil commitments to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), countries of the Asian region must understand that taxonomic expertise is vital for effective implementation. The Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) therefore states 'understanding taxonomy to be a priority in implementing CBD'. Fungi, in particular, are a group of organisms where countries in the region lack taxonomists to carry out the requirements of CBD. Previously, several Asian countries had groups of taxonomists active in the study of fungi, but in recent years the number of mycologists has dwindled because of other commitments, retirement without replacement and more importance being placed on other disciplines, such as biotechnology. This paper will briefly review the history of the study of fungi in the Asian region and then examine the current situation through an analysis of publications in international journals. It will address the effects of CBD on mycological taxonomic research in the region. It will then look at the future for taxonomic mycology in Asia? Suggestions on how to improve mycological expertise in a country are given, with particular reference to the successes in Hong Kong and Thailand.