Range extension of foliicolous lichens in India: A case study from Nandhaur Forest Range, Lakhan mandi, Haldwani, Uttarakhand, India

Abstract

Foliicolous lichens, i.e. lichens colonizing on leaves of vascular plants, are always considered as one of the best bioindicators of human disturbance and microclimatic conditions of a forest, and their occurrence in India is mainly confined to tropical regions of Eastern Himalaya and Western Ghats. During a field trip to Nandhaur Range Lakhan mandi, Haldwani, Kumaun Himalaya, the authors found leaves of Shorea robusta heavily colonized by foliicolous lichens. The identification of the collected samples revealed the occurrence of 6 species of lichens all of which are new addition to the lichen flora of Uttarakhand. The preliminary data on diversity and distribution of the foliicolous lichen will act as baseline to conduct biomonitoring studies in the area, since foliicolous lichens are considered as the best bioindicator of climate change.

Keywords

• Bioindicator
• Foliicolous lichen
• Kumaun Himalaya