Lichen - rock interaction in a temperate environment: A case study from a Panzipora area, Kashmir, India

Abstract

The diversity of Saxicolous lichens with their rock strata has been investigated in the rural area of Kashmir to enrich the lichen inventory in the region. The study also focuses on the quantification of the regional distribution of lichens. A total of 32 lichens belonging to 10 families and 15 genera, with each species having an average 60–70% of consistency, were found occurring on the sedimentary rocks. The diversity and relationship of particular lichen groups (e.g. Nitrophytic, Acidophytic, Neutrophytic) with growth forms (e.g. crustose, foliose, fructicose) and substratum, and with environmental variables in the habitat suggest that Lichens can act as an indicator of environmental quality in the given area. The significant variability in the spatiotemporal patterns of lichen diversity and growth indicates the crucial role of microhabitat conditions and associated micro-environmental conditions, which in turn drive the biodiversity of saxicolous lichens in the region.