THE NATIONAL RED LIST OF NORTH MACEDONIA

Alder milkcap

Lactarius omphaliformis

Macedonian

Блатна млечка

Albanian

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Not evaluated Data deficient Least concern Near threatened Vulnerable ENDANGERED Critically endangered Extinct in the wild Extinct
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Taxonomy
Assessment info
Population
Habitat and Ecology
Threats
Use and Trade
Conservation Actions
Bibliography

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Lactarius omphaliformis

Authority

Romagn.

Synonyms

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Assessment info

IUCN Red List Category and Criteria

Endangered B1ab(iii,iv)+2ab(iii,iv)

Date assessed

November 2020

Assessors

Karadelev, M.

Reviewers

Kost, G.

Contributors

Tofilovska, S.

Rusevska, K.

Facilitators

Miskovic, M.

Justification

The species is known from two (2) localities, and they are the only sites with well-developed communities of alder in wet habitats. Wet woodlands are some of the most vulnerable and declining habitats in the country. The assumed number of individuals is approximately 1,000. Both sites are Emerald areas while Monospitovo Swamp is a protected area according to the Physical Plan of the Republic of N. Macedonia. Notwithstanding this fact, both localities are under intense anthropogenic impact from the local population. Consequently, the species are threatened by habitat loss and degradation. In addition, they have a very small Estimated Extent of Occurrence (ЕОО) of 2,091 km2 and Estimated Area of Occupancy (AOO) of 12 km2, which fully corresponds to the proposed IUCN categorisation.

Population

Current population trend

Decreasing

Description

In N. Macedonia, the population size is inconsiderable. The number of fruiting bodies in all anticipated habitats is estimated as approximately 1,000.

Habitat and Ecology

System

1 Forest
1.4 Forest – Temperate

Habitat and Ecology

Lactarius omphaliformis is a mycorrhizal species associated with alder in wet woodlands. It belongs to a group of dwarf milkcap species with a small pileus and a relatively slender stipe. Alder communities are very rare in the country. The EU HD (Annex I): 91E0* advises that alluvial forests with Alnus glutinosa and Fraxinus excelsior have a high priority for protection.

Use and trade

Use and trade

There is no confirmed use and trade of this species in N. Macedonia.

Threats

Threats

Lactarius omphaliformis is a species associated with alder, and growing in some of the most vulnerable and declining habitats – wet woodlands. These habitats are among the most threatened type of terrestrial habitats due to hydrological system modifications, agriculture, surface water and air pollution (eutrophication), natural succession, and erosion and forest management. Thus, the species are threatened by habitat loss and degradation. The current locations are in an ongoing procedure for being declared Natura 2000 sites. Despite the fact that Monospitovo Swam has been under protection since 1985, its area decreases continuously, and of late its usurpation and degradation has intensified.

Conservation actions

Conservation actions

The species may be protected via conservation of its habitat and prevention of degradation of sites of actual and potential occurrence. This includes e.g. prevention of modifications of the water regime, avoiding intensification of agriculture practices in the neighboring areas, control over practices leading to eutrophication, etc. Designating key sites for protection is recommended.

Bibliography

Bibliography

Karadelev M. and Rusevska K. 2013. Contribution to the Macedonian Red List of Fungi. Proceedings of the 4th Congress of Ecologists of Macedonia with International Participation. Ohrid, 12-15 October 2012.

Karadelev M., Rusevska K. 2016. Distribution Maps of Critical Endangered Species from Macedonian Red List of Fungi. Hyla 2016(1): 14-18.

Karadelev M., Rusevska К. & L. Taukcieva. 2008. Diversity and ecology of fungi in Monospitovo Marsh, Republic of Macedonia. Biol. Macedonica 61: 15-28.