Increase in Sarcosoma globosum observations reveals new fungal observation culture

Sarcosoma globosum is a spring-fruiting ascomycete associated with boreal spruce forests characterized by long forest continuity. It is assessed as Near Threatened (NT) according to the global evaluation of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). We report data of S. globosum in Finland for 1915-2021, before and after availability of digital observation tools (<2015 vs. 2015>). Here, we report in total 586 observations of S. globosum in Finland. We report a huge increase of S. globosum observations since 2015 (+786% average annual increase in observations compared to years 1990-2014). Specimens deposited in public herbaria and data from the environmental authorities have declined. Our results indicate emergence of a new, citizen-based observation culture of fungi. Changes in observation activity may disguise true changes in fungal populations.