DIVERSITY, DISTRIBUTION AND ABUNDANCE OF LICHEN IN SIMILIPAL BIOSPHERE RESERVE, ODISHA

Lichens are organized symbionts that have their importance due to a potential indicator of the forest ecosystem. The lichen diversity of Odisha is not well explored as compared to the other phytogeographical region of India. Though the earlier study reported the occurrence of 252 lichen species from different parts of the state, it was limited to the northeast part of the Similipal Biosphere Reserve (SBR). The objective of the present study was to survey some unexplored areas of SBR, which revealed the occurrence of 84 species of lichens belonging to 38 families and 18 genera. Most of the lichens were found growing as phorophytes on the matured bark of the trees. The western part of the SBR is rich in lichen diversity as compared to the eastern part. Species frequency was found to be highest in the southwest part of the SBR, while the density and abundance were more or less similar within all the study sites. The correlation between frequency and density was found to be significant and insignificant between frequency and abundance.

Fungal literature records database of the sub-Antarctic Region of Aysén, Chile

To this day, merely 8% of all estimated fungi species are documented and, in certain regions, its biodiversity is practically unknown. Inside the Fungi Kingdom, macrofungi and lichens assume a critical part in the ecosystem functionality and have a historical connection to mankind's social, clinical and nutritious uses. Despite their importance, the diversity of these groups has been widely overlooked in the sub-Antarctic Region of Chile, a crucial area in the study of climate change due to its extraordinary biodiversity and its proximity to Antarctica. Few studies regarding both groups have been conducted in this sub-Antarctic Region and the data are still scarce and inaccessible, as these are only published in specialised journals, unreachable to local communities. This publication presents a records compilation available in previous published scientific and technical reports on macrofungi and lichen diversity. In total, 1263 occurrence records of 618 species (341 records of 251 macrofungi species and 922 records of 367 lichen species) were digitised and integrated into the regional platform Biodiversity Information System for Aysén (SIB-Aysén) and into GBIF. Here, we provide the fullest dataset on one of the most diverse group of living beings in one of the the least-known world regions.

A preliminary investigation of the lichen biota associated with recently deglaciated terrain in southeastern Alaska

Glaciers worldwide are currently retreating at unprecedented rates, revealing large tracts of newly exposed rock and till. We present the results of a preliminary, qualitative investigation of the lichen diversity of transient habitats near three glaciers in southeastern Alaska: Muir Glacier within Glacier Bay National Park, and Baird and Patterson Glaciers in the Tongass National Forest. This work is noteworthy as it (i) documents previously undescribed lichen species and communities within rapidly changing glacier habitats, (ii) illustrates the importance of cryptogams (lichens, bryophytes, algae, and cyanobacteria) in the primary colonization of recently deglaciated terrain, (iii) sets apart the lichen biota of recently deglaciated terrain in southeastern Alaska from that of other glacial regions worldwide (e.g., the European Alps, Svalbard, and southern South America) and even other parts of Alaska (e.g., Brooks Range), and (iv) emphasizes the importance of more lichen studies that focus on this rapidly changing habitat. The lichen biotas found at different successional stages near these glaciers are described and compared. The role of lichens and other cryptogams in post-glacial vegetation initiation, the threats to the lichen biota, and suggestions for the possible origins of the lichen propagules that colonize these newly exposed surfaces are also discussed.

Corticolous Lichen Species Diversity on Dominant Trees in Selected Sacred Groves of Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

Sacred groves are the fairly well-protected system of community-based conservation of tree patches on account of their association with village gods, and repository of many rare and threatened elements of biodiversity. There are, however, few publications on lichens of sacred groves. The lichens have long been regarded as sensitive indicators for monitoring environmental state. The present study reports one hundred and sixteen species of lichens from forty-four genera of nineteen families in four selected sacred groves of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. These lichens represent two different growth forms, i.e. crustose (105 species) and foliose (11 species). Shorea robusta, a dominant tree species in two sacred groves bears the highest lichen diversity with seventy-four species. To better understand the related biodiversity and climate, this work is likely to promote further studies on lichen diversity in other regions of West Bengal.

Fungal literature records database of the sub-Antarctic region of Aysén, Chile

To this day, merely 15% of all estimated fungi species are documented, and in certain regions, its biodiversity is practically unknown. Inside the Fungi Kingdom, macrofungi and lichens assume a critical part in the ecosystem functionality and have a historical connection to mankind's social, clinical and nutritious uses. Despite their importance, the diversity of these groups has been widely overlooked in the sub-Antarctic region of Chile, a crucial area in the study of climate change due to its extraordinary biodiversity and its proximity to Antarctica. Few studies regarding both groups have been conducted in this sub-Antarctic region but data are still scarce and inaccessible, as there are only published in specialized journals, unreachable to local communities. This publication presents the records available in published scientific and technical reports on macrofungi and lichen diversity. In total, 987 occurrence records of 435 species (106 records of 95 macrofungi species 881 records of 340 lichen species) were digitized and integrated into the regional platform Biodiversity Information System for Aysén (SIB-Aysén) and into GBIF.

Старі штучні парки як осередки різноманіття епіфітних лишайників Півдня України

Old artificial parks are an important component of the cultural heritage in Southern Ukraine which represents a significant variety of specific habitats for lichen diversity. The aim of our research was to analyze the total lichen diversity in parks as well as the representation of rare and protected species. Most of the data were collected by the authors during expeditions in Southern Ukraine during 2017–2020 in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. Overall, we identified 108 lichen species and 21 lichenicolous fungi within 17 old parks. The highest lichen diversity was recorded in parks “Labirynt” (66 species) and “Nedogirskyi Forest” (61 species). We found 18 lichen species (16.6 %) included in the Red List of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions and 25 (23.8%) rare forest-dwelling species. We concluded that old artificial parks are very important habitats for lichen diversity in the steppe zone of Ukraine as well as the unique localities for such species as Graphis scripta, Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Sclerophora pallida in Southern Ukraine. The total diversity of lichens did nоt have a significant correlation with the total number of tree species due to the dominance of several tree species (Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur), while most other phorophytes are young and represented singly. All old parks should become local reserves to preserve the overall biological diversity in their territories, protect against illegal logging, and regulate potential recreational activities. Keywords: biodiversity, Graphis, Hyperphyscia, Sclerophora, Mykolaiv, Kherson, rare species. Старі штучні парки є важливою складовою природної та культурної спадщини півдня України, яка представляє значну різноманітність специфічних місцезростань для лишайників. Метою нашого дослідження було проаналізувати загальне різноманіття лишайників у старих парках, а також поширення рідкісних видів, та видів, що охороняються. Більшість матеріалів було зібрано під час експедиційних досліджень протягом 2017–2020 років у Херсонській та Миколаївській областях. У цілому, було виявлено 108 видів лишайників та 21 ліхенофільних грибів на території 17 старих парків. Найбільше різноманіття лишайників зафіксовано в парках «Лабіринт» (66 видів) та «Недогірський ліс» (61 видів). Ми виявили 18 видів лишайників (16,6 %), занесених до Червоного списку Херсонської та Миколаївської областей та 26 (24 %) рідкісних видів, які приурочені до штучних лісових біотопів. З огляду на це, старі парки є дуже важливими територіями для збереження різноманіття лишайників у степовій зоні України, а також унікальними місцезростаннями таких видів, як Graphis scripta, Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Sclerophora pallida на півдні України.Встановлено, що загальне різноманіття лишайників не мало статистично значущої кореляції із загальною кількістю порід дерев, що може бути пов’язано з домінуванням кількох порід дерев (Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur), тоді як більшість інших форофітів молоді та представлені одиничними екземплярами. Усі старі парки мають увійти до природно-заповідного фонду як ботанічні заказники для збереження загального біологічного різноманіття на своїх територіях, захисту від незаконних вирубок та регулювання потенційної рекреаційної діяльності. Ключові слова: біорізноманіття, Graphis, Hyperphyscia, Sclerophora, Миколаїв, Херсон, рідкісні види.

The lichens and allied fungi of the southern part of the Kenozersky National Park (Arkhangelsk Region, NW Russia)

The paper presents the first data on lichen diversity in the Kenozersky National Park (Arkhangelsk Region, Northwest Russia). As a result of the study, 263 species and 1 subspecies of lichens and allied fungi were found in the southern part of the national park. Seventeen lichen species are reported for the first time for Arkhangelsk Region. Biatora albidula is a new species for Northwest European Russia. Two recorded species are included in the Red Data Book of Russian Federation and 7 in the Red Data Book of Arkhangelsk Region. Pycnothelia papillaria can be recommended for inclusion to the Red Data Book of Arkhangelsk Region.

The lichens in aluminum plants vicinities of Irkutsk region

The aim of our work was to assess the diversity of lichens in the forests polluted by the air emissions fromthe Bratsk (BRAZ), Irkutsk (IRKAZ) and Taishet (TAZ) aluminum smelters, as well as in the background (non-polluted)territories, similar to those by natural and forest-growing conditions. 102 wide-distributed lichen species were found onplots. This amount is due to the fact that the wood tier is sparse and forophytes composition is depleted. The lichen diversity varies in different types of vegetation and according to the influence of anthropogenic factors. Species diversity in vicinities of smelters and in buffer zones are similar, excluding control zones with dark-conifers forests. It’s established that as wemove closer to the aluminum plants – to the IRKAZ and especially BRAZ, the projective cover, the total number of speciesdecreases, and their species composition changes. Clear morphological changes of lichen thalloma were observed in theimpact zone of the BRAZ. Relatively resistant to atmospheric pollution lichens are found in the impact and buffer zonesin vicinities of plants. Lichens are absent in the crowns and trunks, but their abundance increases on bases of trees trunks.