Contributions to the Lichen Flora and Ecology of Svalbard, Arctic Norway

Abstract

Six species of lichens are reported as new to the Svalbard archipelago: Aspicilia alphoplaca (Wahlenb. ap. Ach.) Poelt & Leuckert, Caloplaca nivalis (Korber) Th. Fr., Omphalina hudsoniana (Jenn.) Bigelow, Leptogium saturninum (Dicks.) Nyl., Phaeophyscia kairamoi (Vain.) Mob. and Pilophorus cereolus (Ach.) Th. Fr. Pilophorus robustus Th. Fr. and the lichenicolous fungus Pleospora hookeri (Borrer) Keissler with its host are reported as new to Spitsbergen. New localities are added for four rare lichens and one rare lichenicolous fungus. Distribution patterns and ecological preferences are discussed for these species and the well-known Neuropogon sulphu- reus. When introducing his comprehensive work on the macrolichens of Svalbard, Lynge (1938) estimated that at least 30,000 lichens had been examined. This serves as an illustration of the degree of licheno- logical exploration of these arctic islands. Never- theless, much remains to be done. Lynge could not finish his work on crustaceous lichens before his death, and his interesting theories on the North Coast Lichens need a critical reevaluation. Modem systematical methods should also be applied to macrolichen genera. Lichen ecology has received little attention, no ecophysiological investigations have been carried out at all, and the islands have also been investigated unsystematically.