author
Roy Watling
b. 1938
A Scottish mycologist with a gift for making the fungal world vivid and approachable, he is known for both serious scientific work and generous support for fellow naturalists. His writing grows out of decades spent studying, classifying, and teaching about fungi.
2 Audiobooks
Keys to Fungi on Dung
by M. J. (Michael J.) Richardson, Roy Watling
Identification of the Larger Fungi
by Roy Watling
About the author
Born in 1938, Roy Watling is a Scottish mycologist whose career has been closely linked with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, where he served as Head of Mycology and Plant Pathology and later became an honorary associate. Reliable sources describe him as a major figure in fungal taxonomy and ecology, with a long record of identifying species, refining classification, and encouraging wider interest in mycology.
His background combines academic research with public education. The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh notes that he received an MBE for contributions to mycology, especially for teaching and for supporting both amateur specialists and professional mycologists, including those in the global south. That mix of scholarship and accessibility helps explain why his books appeal to readers who want expert knowledge without losing the sense of wonder.
For audiobook listeners, his work offers the perspective of someone who has spent a lifetime looking closely at the natural world. Whether writing for specialists or curious general readers, he brings authority, field experience, and a clear enthusiasm for fungi and their place in the environment.