Cladonia

Diversity and distribution of terricolous lichens as indicator of habitat heterogeneity and grazing induced trampling in a temperate-alpine shrub and meadow

by Himanshu Rai

Himanshu Rai, D. K. Upreti and Rajan K. Gupta

Lichens are among the most sensitive biomonitors of ecosystem health and human induced disturbances. Terricolous... more Lichens are among the most sensitive biomonitors of ecosystem health and human induced disturbances. Terricolous lichens of Chopta–Tungnath (Garhwal, western Himalaya, India) were analysed for their ability to indicate habitat variability and disturbances induced by livestock grazing. Terricolous lichens were sampled from 12 sites, distributed across the three macrohabitats between 2,700 and 4,001 m, using 50 × 10 cm narrow frequency grids having five 10 × 10 cm sampling units. The terricolous lichen community of the area constituted, 20 species belonging to 10 genera, five families and four growth forms. Altitude and relative humidity were the major habitat factors found influencing the terricolous lichen community of the landscape. Fruticose and compound soil lichen growth forms were found indicative of habitat disturbance largely caused by grazing induced trampling. Terricolous lichen diversity of the area was delimited by grazing pressure at mid-altitudes (3,000–3,400 m) and by decreasing soil cover at higher altitudes (>3,400 m).

Diversity and distribution of terricolous lichens as indicator of habitat heterogeneity and grazing induced trampling in a temperate-alpine shrub and meadow

by Himanshu Rai

Himanshu Rai, D. K. Upreti and Rajan K. Gupta

Lichens are among the most sensitive biomonitors of ecosystem health and human induced disturbances. Terricolous... more Lichens are among the most sensitive biomonitors of ecosystem health and human induced disturbances. Terricolous lichens of Chopta–Tungnath (Garhwal, western Himalaya, India) were analysed for their ability to indicate habitat variability and disturbances induced by livestock grazing. Terricolous lichens were sampled from 12 sites, distributed across the three macrohabitats between 2,700 and 4,001 m, using 50 × 10 cm narrow frequency grids having five 10 × 10 cm sampling units. The terricolous lichen community of the area constituted, 20 species belonging to 10 genera, five families and four growth forms. Altitude and relative humidity were the major habitat factors found influencing the terricolous lichen community of the landscape. Fruticose and compound soil lichen growth forms were found indicative of habitat disturbance largely caused by grazing induced trampling. Terricolous lichen diversity of the area was delimited by grazing pressure at mid-altitudes (3,000–3,400 m) and by decreasing soil cover at higher altitudes (>3,400 m).

Terricolus lichen genus Cladonia in India: substrate and habitat preferences

by Himanshu Rai

Himanshu Rai, DK Upreti, RK Gupta (2011) Terricolus lichen genus Cladonia in India: substrate and habitat preferences, XXIV Indian Botanical Conference, Oct 10-12,2011, Department of Botany, University of Lucknow, Lucknow,pp139

Distribution Pattern of Terricolous Lichens in Garhwal Himalayas (Chopta-Tungnath Tract) with Reference to Morphological and Environmental Variables

by Himanshu Rai

Co-authored with RAJAN K. GUPTA, D.K. UPRETI & PRAMOD NAG

India is a rich centre of lichen biodiversity. Soil inhabiting lichens (Terricolous lichens), are potential group of... more India is a rich centre of lichen biodiversity. Soil inhabiting lichens (Terricolous lichens), are potential group of lichen species which can be calibrated for ecological indicator studies, as their direct growth on the soil make them very sensitive to any change in the topographic and climatic environment.
In the present study soil-inhabiting lichens of Chopta-Tungnath tract in Garhwal Himalayas, are defined on the basis of ecological and morphological characters using Hierarchical bootstrap-clustering, and the various habitat and climatic variables are analyzed for their effect on the determination of structure and distribution pattern of terricolous lichen community, using Correlation-Regression analysis.
Of the three macrohabitats identified along the elevation gradient maximum soil lichen diversity was observed at middle elevation (3000-3400 mt.) A total of nine lichen species belonging to four families, seven genera and five morphological groups/thallus type (Squamulose, Squamulose-Fruticose, Leprose, Fruticose and Foliose) were identified. Squamulose was dominating morphological group, followed by fruticose, dimorphic, foliose and leprose forms. Soil lichen exhibit maximum associations with mosses followed by angiosperms, only few soil lichens were found growing on ground. Among the environmental variables soil pH and minimum and maximum temperature were positively related to lichen diversity whereas relative humidity and elevation negatively influenced soil lichen community.
Cluster analyses revealed six lichen groups on the basis of their maximum distribution at middle elevations, dominance of moisture absorbing lichen groups (fruticose and foliose) and
maximized associative growth with mosses