Ecological Importance of Lichen

Acdemia Arena 2010, Supplement 0201 http://www.sciencepub.
net
Ecological, Social and Commercial Role of
Lichens in India with Special Reference to

Garhwal Himalayas
Balwant Kumar
Young Scientist (DST)
Department of Botany D. S. B. Campus Kumaun University, Nainital (India)-263001

drbalwantkumararya@gmail.com [Balwant Kumar. Ecological, Social and Commercial Role of Lichens in
India with Special Reference to Garhwal Himalayas. Academia Arena 2010;Supplement 0201:1-118]. (ISSN 1553-
992X). http://www.sciencepub.net.
0
Acdemia Arena 2010, Supplement 0201 http://www.sciencepub.net
CONTENTS
Preface.............................................................................................................................3-4
Background…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………....5-12
Chapter 1: Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………………..13-19
Chapter 2: Review of Liturature…………………………………………………………………………...20-26
Chapter 3: Phytosociological Analysis Brown Oak Dominated Forest of Garhwal

Himalaya, India……………………………………………………………………………….…....27-33
Chapter 4: Assessment of Lichen Species in a Temperate Region of Garhwal

Himalaya, India……………………………………………..………………………………….....34- 55
Chapter 5: Macrolichens Cover and Their Distribution Pattern on Two Common

Phorophytes (Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhodondron arboretum) in a
Temperate Forest of Rudraprayag District Garhwal (Uttarakhand),
India…………………………………………………………….…………....................................56-62
Chapter 6: Estimation of Dry Mass of Epiphytic Lichens in a Temperate Forest Of

Garhwal Himalaya, India………………………….………………………………................63-69
Chapter 7: Seasonal Pattern of Lichen Fall from Trees in an Evergreen Quercus

semecarpifolia forest of Garhwal Himalaya,
India……………………………………………………………………………………………………........70-78
Chapter 8: An Account of Lichens on Fallen Twigs of Three Quercus Species in

Chopta Forest of Garhwal Himalaya, India…………………………..…….........79-88
Chapter 9: Quantitative Analysis of Lichen Vegetation in Eleven Forest Sites of a

Quercus semecarpifolia Forest of Garhwal Himalaya,
India……………………………………………………………………………………….……..……........89-95
Chapter 10: Lichen Resource Use Pattern and Its Socioeconomic Status in
Temperate Region of Garhwal Himalaya, India………………………….........96-105
Chapter 11: Lichen-Moss Harvesting Practicies and Their Marketing Strategy in

Uttarakhand, India…………………………………………………………………................106-118
1
Acknowledgement
I have great pleasure in placing of record to Prof. S. P. Singh, Prof. D. P. Vashishtha, H. N.
B. Garhwal University, Srinagar (Garhwal) and Prof. Uma Palni, Prof. Sudhir Chandra, Dr. Lalit
M. Tewari, Dr. Dhani Arya, Dr. Kapil Khulbe, Mr. Pratap Dhaila, Mr. Dinesh Giri and Mr. Vardan
Singh, Kumaun University, Nainital for their cooperation during different phases of the study.
It is also my great opportunity for pride and pleasure to express my deep sense to gratitude
and heartiest veneration to Dr. D.K. Upreti, Scientist and Head, Lichenology Laboratory, Plant
Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Division, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow
(U.P) for his inspiring guidance, untiring supervision, valuable suggestions, identification of the
lichen specimens and constant encouragement, throughout the course of present investigation.
I would like special thanks to Mr. Aseesh Pandey, Plant Tissue Culture Lab, D. S. B.
Campus, Nainital for editing and formatting of this book.
I would like gratefully acknowledge to Department of Science and Technology (DST), New
Delhi and India-Canada Environemental Facility (ICEF), New Delhi for their financial support.
My sincere thanks are due to team of Appropriate Technology India, Center for Ecological
Studies, Guptkashi (Rudraprayag), for providing facilities to placing lichen herbarium.
I express my warm thanks to Marsland Press Richmond Hill, New York, USA for publishing
this work.
Last but not least, I feel paucity of words to express adequately my gratitude to my loving wife
Mrs. Manuhar Arya, Assistant Professor (History) for constant encouragement.
Dr. Balwant Kumar
2
Preface
The Himalayas has been a perennial source of attraction, curiosity and challenge to human intellect
throughout the ages. Amongst several assets the investigation provides and everlasting and
interesting field of investigation. The diversity copiousness as well as uniqueness of the plant
components in various habitats retained sound and aesthetic environment of the study area.
However in the recent past a couple of decades excessive exploitation of vegetation, unplanned
land use, natural disasters and several developmental processes, accelerated deterioration of
biodiversity and harmonious ecosystem of the Himalaya.
Forest resources of the Himalayas are shrinking in size due to over-exploitation and there is
increased interest to protect, manage and make them more protective. This requires essentially the
knowledge of their population status, production behaviour and rate of utilization on unit area basis.
The human influences on lichen diversity and other biodiversity and ecosystem functioning have
largely taken form of rapid, large and frequent changes in land and resource use, increased
frequency of biotic invasion, reduction of species number, creation of stresses and potential for
changes in climate system.
This book is primarily based on the publication of various research papers and collection
made by my previous work and references may be found in available literature. The specimens
described in this volume were mostly collected during various excursions to Garhwal Himalaya.
This book is complied into eleven chapters. Chapter first (1) introduction deals with need of
inventorying and monitoring of lichens of Garhwal Himalaya, historical background of lichens and
detailed description about the Garhwal Himalayas. The chapter ends with the description of
vegetation (forest) type of the Garhwal Himalayas. Chapter second (2) a review of literature work
done at regional Himalayan and national level pertaining to various aspects of the present
information. Chapter third (3) deals with the phytosociological analysis of trees, shrubs, herbs and
grasses in the temperate belt of Garhwal Himalaya. Assessment of lichen species in the temperate
region of of Garhwal has been discussed in the fourth chapter.
Description of macro-lichens cover and their distribution pattern on common phorophytes
3
of the area has been provided in chapter fifth. Chapter sixth throws light on estimation of dry mass
of epiphytic lichens of the area.
[
th th th
Similarly chpater 7 , 8 and 9 have provided the detailed information about fallen lichen
species. Tenth chapter discuss the lichen resource use pattern and its socioeconomic status in the
temperate region of Garhwal Himalaya. The last chapter provides the information on lichen-moss
harvesting practices and their marketing strategy in the state Uttarakhand.
Dr. Balwant Kumar
Kumaun University, Nainital (India)

st
1 March, 2009
4
Background
Uttarakhand, one of the newly formed states of India, is endowed with a wide base of natural
resources. The state has a total land area of 53,524 Km². with 64 percent forest cover and a
population of 84,79,562 with a 72 percent literacy rate (2001 census report). Around 67 percent of
the population is dependent on farming and 80 percent of the workforce in agriculture is woman
(DSTO office, 2001). Tough terrain, high inaccessibility, limited market avenues, low
industrialization, low employment opportunities for many years have led to a low standard of living
of the people living in this hill state. Although majority of population is dependent on agriculture,
only about 12% of the total geographic area of the state is under cultivation. Agriculture is mostly
at subsistence level owing to factors such as land inaccessibility, environmental heterogeneity and
ecological fragility.
The natural resources form the major livelihood base for the downtrodden communities in
the remote villages of this hill state. Forests are the most important natural resource in Uttarakhand
providing firewood, fodder, biomass and other major and minor forest produce. Ringal (dwarf
bamboo) and natural fibre, medicinal & aromatic plants and lichens & moss are one among the
potential resources available in different villages and adjoining forests in this state. A number of
communities are involved in bamboo and natural fibre crafts work for their survival.
In the state Chamoli and Rudraprayag district of Garhwal has found rich in natural
resources. The region covered by the district Chamoli forms part of the district of Pauri Garhwal of
the Kumaun till 1960. It occupies the north-eastern corner of the Garhwal track and lies in the
central or mid Himalayas in the very heart of the snowy range described in the ancient books as
Bahirgiri, one of the three divisions of the Himalayan Mountains. Chamoli covered as a separate
revenue district in 1960 out of the erstwhile Garhwal district, lies in the central Himalaya and
constitutes a part of the celebrated “Kedar Kashetra”. The district Chamoli is surrounded by
Uttarakashi in North-West, Pithoragarh in South-West, Almora in South-East, and Rudraprayag in
South-West and Tehri Garhwal in West. The geographical area of the district is around 7520 Km².
Geology
The geology of the region shows that the Himalayas are the young mountains in the world.
During early Mesozoic times, or the secondary geological period, the land mass now covered by
5
them was occupied by the great geosynclinals Tethys Sea. The probable date of the commencement
of the elevation of the Himalayas is about the close of the Mesozoic period, but the unveiling of the
story of their structure has only just their begin, and in many cases no dating of the rocks is yet
possible, though they include ancient and relatively recent crystalline intrusive, rocks and
sediments allied to the peninsular part of the India. The section of the range in the district is deeply
cut into by the headwaters of the Alaknanda River, this trunk stream seeming to have reached a
latter stage of development than its tributaries. This much, however is known that there has been
intense metamorphosis. In some part uplift has been considerable since the mid Pleistocene period,
in others there are great stretchers of high but subdued topography and elsewhere there are the
deepest gorges. The direction of folding in these mountain masses is generally North-South. The
geological features of the district from two major divisions which lies North and South of an
imaginary line extending East-South-East between the villages of Helang in Joshimath and
Loharkhet in the Adjoining district in Pithoragarh. The Northern division, which is occupied by
higher range and snow covered peaks consist entirely of medium to high grade metamorphic rocks
and is intruded by later volcanic rocks. The division of the South, occupied by ranges of lower
altitude, consists essentially of sedimentary and low grade metamorphic rock also intruded by later
volcanic rocks. Geologically very little is known of the first division which consists of rocks such
as quartzite’s, marbles and various types of micaceous schist’s and gneisses which a few sporadic
occurrences of garnet, graphite, iron, knit mica and vein quartz. The division of the South of the
imaginary line is better known geologically and consists of rocks such as gneisses, limestone,
phyllites, quartzite, Seri cite biotic chests and slates.
Soils in the region are the coarse soils, well drained and acidic with pH levels varying
between 4 to 5.5 (Sundriyal 1992).
Climate
As the elevation of the district ranges from 800mts to 8000 mts above sea level the climate
of the region very largely depend on altitude. The winter season is from about mid November to
March. As most of the region is situated on the Southern slopes of the outer Himalayas, monsoon
currents can enter through the valley, the rainfall being heaviest in the monsoon form June to
September.
Rainfall
Most of the rainfall occurs during the period June to September when 70 to 80 percent of
6
the annual precipitation is accounted for in the Southern half of the district and 55 to 65 present in
the northern half of rains is, among others, related to low temperature which means less
evapotranspiration and forest or vegetation cover. However, the effectiveness is neither uniform nor
even positive in areas where either the vegetation cover is poor or/ has steep slope or the soils have
been so denuded that their moisture absorption capacity has become marginal.
Rain gauging stations put up at seven locations by meteorological department of Govt. of
India, represent the settled land mass of district Chamoli Garhwal.
Temperature
The detailed of temperature recorded at the meteorological observation in the region show
that the highest temperature was 34ºC and lowest 0ºC. January is the coldest month after which the
temperature begins to rise till June-July. Temperatures vary with elevation. During the winter cold
waves in the wake of western disturbances may cause temperature to fall appreciably. Snow
accumulation in valleys is considerable.
Humidity
The related humidity is high during monsoon season, generally exceeding 70% on the
average. The driest part of the year is the pre monsoon period when the humidity may drop to 35
during the afternoon, during the winter months humidity increases towards the afternoon at certain
high stations.
District Rudraprayag, the newly created district of Garhwal was part of three districts
Chamoli, Pauri and Tehri. On 16th September 1997 Rudraprayag district was carved out from
whole of Augustmini & Ukhimath block and part of Pokhri & Karnprayag block from Chamoli,
Part of Jakholi and Kirtinagar block from Tehri district, part of Khirsu block from Pauri.
Rudraprayag, carved as a separate revenue district in 1997. The geographical area of the district is
around 2,328 Km².
Vegetation (forest) type
Based on the physiogamy (general appearance) the following categories of vegetation
can be identified with in Garhwal Himalaya viz. a) Forest, b) Scrub vegetation, c) Temperate
grasslands and forest banks, and d) Alpine meadows
The categories can be further divided into following ten distinct categories (equivalents to
Champion and Seth’s classes, 1968).
i. Temperate Chir-Pine forest: Dominated by Chir-Pine (Pinus roxburghii)
7
mostly on steeper south facing exposed slopes up to 2000m altitude.

ii. Temperate broad leaf (evergreen) forest: The forest consists of zones of oaks viz. white oak
(Quercus leucotrichophora), green oak (Q. floribunda) and brown oak (Q. semecarpifolia)
representing low altitude (1500-2200m), mid altitude (2200-2800m) and high altitude (2800-
3500m) respectively constitute this category.
iii. Temperate broad leaf (moist deciduous) forest: This includes broad leaved forest communities
such as Aesculus-Acer-Juglans, Acer-Carpinus and Alder (Alnus) patches along the drainage.
iv. Temperate broad leaf conifer (mixed) forest: This comprises extensive forest of Fir-Wild
sandal (Abies pindrow - Buxus wallichiana) and brown oak- Fir, rich in forest floor.
v. Sub alpine forest: The sub alpine zone between altitudes of 3000-3500m is characterized by
high altitude Raga/ Rai- Brich (Pecia smithiana-Rhododendron arboreum) communities.
vi. Temperate secondary scrub: The anthropogenic categories such as Ban oak scrub, dwarf
bamboo (Ringal) under this category which is found close to human inhabitations within the eco
development zone.
vii. Alpine scrub: The stunted forest for the moist alpine scrub adjacent to tree line is characterized
by these vegetation types largely dominated by Brich (Rhododendron), deciduous scrub and
reverine willow scrub.
viii. Temperate grasslands and thatches: Extensive grassy slopes on the south facing slopes at the
result of frequent fires and exposure give rise to this vegetation types. The dominant fodder
grasses on these slopes are species of Themeda, Chrysopogon and Heteropogon.
ix. Alpine meadows: The herbaceous meadows and grassy slopes above the alpine scrub zone and
below high altitude steep slopes and barren rocks near tree line are rich in attractive herbs many
of them are medicinally important. A large number of plant associations and special life forms
have been reported from the alpine meadows. Alpine meadows have a high diversity of
herbaceous species, many of which have medicinal or aromatic properties and are of great
commercial value. Grasslands are also found below the tree line, and it is not clear whether they
have been created and maintained by human activities such as pastoralism, specially the
grasslands surrounded by natural forest. In general, the KWLS has very high floral diversity.
Fauna
The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) in Rudraparayag and Nanda Devi Biosphere
Reserve in district Chamoli are the protected areas for wildlife. The Palaearctic to the north and
8
oriental to the south. These two areas harbour a rich and unique biodiversity. It supports several
endangered mammals and pheasants such as Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster), Himalayan Thar
(Hemitragus jemlanhicus), Serow, Asiatic Brown Bear (Ursus thebetanus), Himalayan Black Bear
(Ursus arctus) and Monal (Lopophorsus imperjanus).
9
Fig: Photographs of some forests sites
10
People and forest management

The primary occupation of the peoples is agriculture, but owing to the subsistence nature
of hill agriculture, they are partially dependent on surrounding forest resources for their livelihood.
Local people are dependent on the resources of different forests and alpine pastures mainly for
grazing of sheep and goats and collection of timber and non-timber forest produces (Ringal, herbs,
fungi, lichens and medicinal & aromatic plants). A substantial number of residents and migratory
sheep and goat depend on the grazing resources of forest. The local people have been using these
forests for generations and continue to exercise number of rights in the area.
Human population
Until recently, ten of big villages with between 80 and 150 families had the right of
habitation in the KWLS, according to the rights of Makku Van Panchayat (Makku village) has been
permanent rights but the other nine villages remain in habitat no permanent rights throughout the
year. The area, villagers practice small-scale cultivation, herd livestock, and have other rights,
including the right to various forest products.
Human population pressures
The grazing of sheep and goats in the protected areas and in high-altitude thatches
(meadows), collection of medicinal, aromatic, edible herbs and plants for locally used, collection of
fuel wood is degrading the habitat, extraction of timber is deforesting the area, disturbing the
animals, and threatening many species with local extinction.
Livestock is one of the most important economic resources of the local people. Every
household invariably keeps a few cows and many more sheep and goats. These animals are usually
kept for wool, meat and manure. Sheep’s wool is used by the villager for making blankets,
sweaters, and shawls, while goat hair is used for making blankets only. The dung of these animals
is of course, good manure for the fields.
Local people, as well as people from neighbouring areas, graze their livestock in the
protected area like KWLS. Migrant grazing is seasonal from May- November. During those
months, goats and sheep are herded to high-altitude pastures or thatches. Grazing of sheep and
goats in what is now KWLS has been taking place for generations. For many local people it is more
a way of life than an economic activity.
Flock size is variable, generally is varies from 300 to 500 animals each flock. The number of
the grazers accompanying a 400-500 animals is generally five to six grazers. Each flock contains
11
sheep and goats belonging to several families from one or more villages. Grazers coming from
beyond adjacent areas often pick up sheep and goats from the villages they pass through on their
way to the KWLS. Such grazers often stay in local farmers fields. Their flock can manure the fields
while the grazers are given food and shelter in exchange. The grazers also are paid by the villagers,
often in kinds rather than cash, for taking their sheep and goats into the KWLS.
The impact of grazing on the KWLS areas is not fully known. However livestock’s are known
to transmit diseases to wild animals, encourage weeds growth, and prevent regeneration of trees in
low-altitude patches. Studies of the impact of grazing on forests have shown that the grazing of
livestock not only hinders regeneration of naturally dominant tree species, but it can also lead to
significant changes in the structure and composition of different plant species on the forest floor.
Lichen exploitation
The lichens are collected exhaustively throughout Himalaya and are frequently used as
ingredient of spices, Aurvedic medicines and other purposes. Every year about 10,000 tons of
lichen is collected from the Central Himalayan region of India. But in the protected areas like
KWLS, lichen exploitation is totally band. Commercially the lichens are sold in the name of
“Charrila” or “Jhoola”.
References
Champion, H.G. and Seth, S.K. (1968). A Revised Survey of the Forest Type of India.
Govvernment of India Publication India, Delhi. Sundriyal, R.C. (1992). Structure
productivity and energy flow in alpine grassland in the Garhwal Himalaya J. Veg. Sci. 3:
15-20.
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Chapter-1
INTRODUCTION
History
The history of Lichenology dates us back to Theophrastus (370- 285 BC), who accredited as father
of botany, used the term ‘lichen’, a word of Greek origin to denote the superficial growth on the
bark of olive trees. Linnaeus grouped all lichen species under the genus Lichen and gives it to one
of his last student Erik Acharis for further study. Erik Acharius (Acharius 1803, 1810 and 1814) a
Swedish botanist and was born in the Swedish town of Gävle in 1757. At the age of 17 he came to
Uppsala where he studied botany as one of Linnaeus’ last students. Acharis, referred to as father of
lichenology, coined several terms for the structures peculiar to lichens and described many new
genera and numerous new species on the basis of external morphology in his monumental works
Methodica Lichenum, Lichenographia Universalis, and Synopsis Methodica Lichenum.
What are lichens?
Lichens are fungi that live in intimate symbiotic association with green algae or
cyanobacteria. Lichens comprise a unique group of plant that consists of two unrelated organism, a
fungus and an alga, growing together in a close symbiotic association. The study of lichen remains
quite neglected throughout the world, through they together with mosses form dominant organism
in ecosystem covering over 10% of the earth terrestrial habitats, particularly at higher elevations
(Nash and Egan 1988). Lichens with cynobacterial blue green symbionts, contribute significantly
for forest nitrogen fixation (Slack 1988). Besides many other uses, lichens are also used as
pollution monitors. They are the plants which occur in most adverse conditions of climate and
substrate. Thus the importance of this group in an ecosystem is very high in its own way. Lichens
are just like little sponges that take up everything that comes their way, including air pollution
(Fleishner 1994).
Lichens form easily distinguishable coloured patches on tree barks, rocks and soil. They are
universally distributed organisms occurring in varied climatic conditions ranging from the poles to
the tropics in earth. They may look like crust, spreading rapidly over the surface (crustose lichens)
or leafy and loosely attached to the surface (foliose lichens) and branched and shrubby, hanging
from tree twigs or branches, with a single attachment (fruticose lichens).
13
Lichens have ability to resist extremes of climatic conditions ranging from low tide sea
shores to the tops of the mountains and from arctic to tropical regions, dominating as much as 8%
of the earth’s surface (Ahmadjian 1993; 1995) and are amongst the most significant indicators of
air pollution and ecosystem health (Richardson 1992) and, besides having many economic
medicinal applications. They are very sensitive to microclimatic changes. Therefore any natural
manmade disturbances are bound to affect lichen populations. Requisite moisture and light,
unpolluted air and undisturbed substratum often favour optimum growth and abundance of lichens.
Lichens arbitrarily classified into three to seven growth forms that do not reflect how the lichens
are related to each other. Different species within a genus may have different growth forms viz 1.
Crustose, 2. Foliose, 3. Fruticose and 4. Squamulose. Crustose lichens form crusts that are so
tightly attached to the rocks, trees, side walls or soils they grow on that they cannot remove without
damaging the substrate. Cracked crusts like the species of Acarospora that are separated into
segments (areoles) are called areolate. Crustose lichens, that grows immersed in rocks only their
fruiting bodies above the surface are called endolithic, and those that grow immersed in plant
tissues are called endophloidic or endophlodal. Loose, powdery lichen crusts without a layered
structure called leprose lichens. Foliose lichens are somewhat leaf-like, composed of lobes. They
are relatively loosely attached to their substrates, usually by means rhizines. Their lobes have upper
and lower sides and usually grow more or less parallel to the substrate viz. Lobaria. Fruticose
lichens are usually round in cross section and most are branched. They can like little shrubs
growing upward, or they can hang down in long strands viz. Usnea longissima.
Lichens in Indian Languages
In Indian context, the Sanskrit synonyms of lichens are ‘Shailaya’ and ‘Shila Pushp’ meaning
Shila=rock Pushp=flower. Lichen species are commonly known ‘Stone flower’ in English, ‘Pathar
Ka Phul’ in Hindi, ‘Dagad Phul’ in Marathi, ‘Kalahu’ in Kanada, ‘Kalpasi’ in Tamil, and
‘Rihamkarmani’ in Urdu. Locally in Garhwal it is known as ‘Mukku’, ‘Shewal’, ‘Jhoola’;
‘Chaarila’ in Kumaun; ‘Chaai’ and ‘Mendi’ in Himanchal. In Hindi the lichens are also known as
‘Shaik’ (meaning Shai= Shewal and K= Kawak).
India ranks amongst one of the twelve-mega-biodiversity countries of the world. The
innumerable life forms from unicellular to multicellular and microscopic to gigantic harboured in
the forests, deserts, mountains, other land forms and air and water. They are source of food, fuel,
clothing and various others our daily needs and raw material for industries.
14
Mountains and hill hold a rich variety of ecological systems. Because of their vertical
dimension, mountains create gradient of temperature, precipitation, and insulation. In Uttarakhand
nine of the thirteen districts comprise the expansion of lesser Himalayas. But with the rapid
modernization and increasing anthropogenic pressure coupled with natural disasters on vegetation
in general and on the forests in particular, the Himalayan vegetation is rapidly deteriorating in its
richness as well as diversity. However, in recent past there has been a deep concern and a
realization for the conservation of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
Garhwal Himalaya exhibits sub-mountain to alpine climate with distinct physiography,
altitudes, and aspects that harbours a variety of forest types. Owing to the varied topography and
altitudes, diverse forest and alpine pasture communities may occur within a distance of 300-500 km
(Singh, 1992). The distribution of different forest types is primarily governed by the altitude and
secondarily by the factors such as geology, soils, orientation of the valleys and other biotic and
abiotic stresses (Champion and Seth 1968). Forest account is nearly 45% of the total geographical
area of the Garhwal Himalaya. A wide variety of forest types are found in this region of
Uttarakhand hills. The vegetation is dominated by Quercus leucotrichophora (Banj oak), Q.
floribunda (Tilonj oak) and Q. semecarpifolia (Kharsu oak) in altitudinal gradient. Some other
main species found in the region are Abies pindrow, Rhododendron spp, Lyonia ovalifolia, Acer
spp, Asculus indica and Ilex.
Vegetation within a forest type is greatly affected by differences in the microclimate and
altitude (Pande et al 1996). The selection pressure, originating due to the difference in microclimate
and interspecific competition, influence the vegetation of different tree species and also open the
door for the invasion and acclimatization of new species in the forest ecosystem. The interactive
influence of the biotic and abiotic factors of the environment affects the survival and growth of
seedlings and sprouts (Sorenson and Forrel 1979 and Muller-Dombios et al 1980).
Topography and other mountain slopes, in combination with perennial streams and dark
shady localities of the area have created micro-climatic conditions to provide diverse environmental
conditions, encouraging luxuriant growth of several moisture loving lichens, orchids, herbs, shrubs
and climbers, which have immense ecological as well as economical value.
Altitudinally defined climatic and soil factors are deemed to be primary determinants of
change in species composition and community structure in undisturbed mountains (Whittaker and
Marks, 1975). Economic change and population increase is threatening the ecology of the
15
Himalayas. In Garhwal Himalaya substantial increase in human and bovine population has taken
place during last decades (Negi et al 1997 a & b). Simultaneously natural resources are depleting at
an alarming rate (Negi 1991, Singh & Singh 1992, Chauhan et al 1999). The repercussion of these
factors can be observed in lichen diversity of the area. Decline in crop yield and out migration of
the rural people in search of livelihood has definite linkages to this situation.
Hence the protection, improvement and rehabilitation of mountain have a critical importance
in achieving the developmental goal. In recent years the deforestation in the foothills and the
Middle Himalaya and, overgrazing on the high pastures have led to soil erosion and other
environmental problems. Deforestation is a particular concern in the western Himalaya, where
increased demand for firewood, extensive tree trimming to feed livestock, and construction of roads
in the border regions have increased the destruction rate of forests and the number of landslides.
Forest resources of the Himalaya are shrinking in size due to over-exploitation and there is
increased interest to protect, manage and make them more protective.
Competition, both within and among species, is one of the major forces determining the
distribution and abundance of plant species and the biodiversity of plant communities (Tilman,
2000). Although most plants compete for the same resources (light, water and nutrients) and large
number of species coexist in many plant communities (Silvertown and Charlesworth 2001).
Intuitively, spatial heterogeneity of resources used by plants is probably one of the most powerful
promoters of niche separation and coexistence between plants.
The area is quite rich in lichen diversity and needs to be explored and inventoried critically.
Thus, the present book is an attempt to inventories and study the lichens mass on standing trees as
well as lichen fall estimation, lichen cover on host tree species and its vertical distribution pattern
in the Garhwal Himalayas. Some part of the study like vertical distribution and cover of the lichen
species, lichen dry mass estimation on host tree and lichen fall estimation methods are first time
developed and followed by the author.
There are three reasons why ecologists are interested in ecological diversity and its
management. First, the well documented patterns of spatial and temporal variation in diversity
which intrigued the early investigators of the natural world (Clements 1916; and Thoreau 1960)
continue to stimulate the minds of ecologists today (Currie and Paquin 1987; May 1986). Second,
measures of diversity are frequently seen as indicators of well being of ecological systems. Thirdly,
considerable debate surrounds the measurement of diversity. Biodiversity indicators (popularly
16
known as bio-indicators) are useful for defining and presenting the data those decision-makers
requires. Bio-indicators can be used in ecological evolution, especially for communities indicating
areas of conservation interest.
Need of inventorying and monitoring lichens of Garhwal Himalayas

Formulating proper methodology for documenting floristic diversity with ecological correlates is a
prerequisite for inventorying periodical monitoring and conservation of bio resource. The study
will attempt to-
i. The pattern of relative abundance of lichens
ii. Document season of maximum lichen fall
iii. List of tree species and their part harbouring maximum lichen in a lichen rich area
iv. This information will be the first attempt to answer these basic queries and help in periodical
monitoring, conservation and management of lichens
v. Inventorying and monitoring the lichen diversity will be provide fundamental and essential
biological information used by basic scientific disciplines (viz. ecology, population biology,
behaviours and other fields of comparative biology)
vi. Available information will provide a basis for the scientific research necessary to understanding
the habitat in which rich lichen dry mass (from tree as well as fallen lichen mass) found (either
on open or closed canopied site of the Q. semecarpifolia forest)
vii. Define the current and future option available for alternate livelihood from the lichens. It will
be help to guide immediate and long term management, policy and decision making strategies
viii. Provide information necessary for sustainable management of natural resources (lichens). Help
in identifying economically or commercially valuable lichens
ix. Define the impact of human activities on lichen diversity so as to reduce undesirable effect in
the environment
x. Helps to understand the potential effects and impact of climate change and other forms of
natural environment change
References
Acharius, A. (1810). ‘Lichenographia Universalis’ Dauekwert, Gottingen.
Ahmadjian, V. (1995). Lichens Annu Rev Microbiol 19 1-20.
17
Ahmadjian, V. (1993). The Lichen Synopsis, Wiley, 1993.

Champion, H.G. and Seth, S.K. (1968). A Revised Survey of the Forest Type of India.
Govvernment of India Publication India, Delhi.
Chauhan, D.S., Bhatt, B.P., Negi, A.K. and Todaria, N.P. (1999). Forest and Forestry Status
Constrants & Scop. In: Garhwal Himalaya nature, Culture & Society (O P Kandari & O P
Gusain, eds) 93-124.
Clements, F. E. (1916). Plant Succession: An analyisis of the development of vegetation. Corneg
Instit Wash Publ 242, 1-512.
Currie, D.J. and Paquin, V. (1987). Large scale biogeographical patterns of species richness of the
trees. Nature 7 326-29.
Fleishner, T.L. (1994). Ecological costs of livestock grazing in Western North America:
Conservation Biology 8(3) 633.
May, R.M. (1986). The search for patterns in the balance of nature: Advances and retreats. Ecology
67 1115-26.
Muller- Dombios, D.J., Jucobi, D., Corry, R.G., and Balakrishan, N. (1980). Ohio rain forest study:
Ecological investigation of the Ohio dieback problem in Hawaii. Miscellaneous pup. 183,
Hawaii Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resoure, Honoulu HI.
Nash, T.H. and Egan, R.S. (1988). The biodiversity of lichens and bryophytes. In: Lichen,
Bryophytes and air quality. (Eds. Thomas Nash III & Vilkmar Wirth). Bibl. Lichenol. 30:
11-22 J. Carmer in der Gebr. Borntra. Verlag. Berlin, Stuttgart.
Negi, A.K. (1991). Studies on impact of local folk on forest of Tehri Garhwal- A case study Ph D
Thesis submitted, H N B Garhwal University Srinagar Garhwal 262.
Negi, A.K., Bhatt, B.P. and Todaria, N.P. (1997b). Local population impact on forest of Garhwal
Himalaya, The Environmentalist 17 (in press)
Negi, A.K., Bhatt, B.P., Todaria, N.P. and Sakalani, A. (1997a). The effect of coilonialism on
forest and the local people in Garhwal Himalaya, India, Mountain Research and
Development, 17(2) 159-168.
Pande, P.K., Negi, J.D.S. and Sharma, S.C. (1996). Species diversity, turn over and resource
apportionment among various plant species in Western-Himalayan forests. Abstract. First
Indian Ecological Congress, New Delhi. 27-31.
Richardson, D.H.S. (1992). Pollution monitoring with Lichens England, Richmond Publishing.
18
Singh, J.S. (1992). Man and forest intractions in Central Himalaya. 57-79 in Singh J.S. and Singh,
S.P. (Eds.) Himalayan Environment and Development: Problems and Prespectives.
Gyonodaya Prakashan, Nainital (India).
Singh, J.S. and Singh, S.P. (1992). Forest of Himalaya: Structure, Functioning and impact of
Man. Gyonodaya Prakashan, Nainital (India).
th
Silvertown, J. Charlesworth, D. (2001). Plant Population Biology, 4 edn. Blackwell Oxford. Slack,
N.G. (1988). The Ecological Importance of lichen and Bryophyte. Bib. Lichenol. 30: 23-53.
Sorenson, F.C. and Forrel, W.K. (1979). Photosynthesis and growth of Douglas fir seedlings when
grown in different environments. Can. J. Bot. 51: 1689-98.
Tilman, D. (2000). Causes, cosequences and ethics of biodiversity. Nature, 405:208-11.
Thoreau, H.D. (1960). The succession of forest trees. In Excursions 1863. Haughton and
Mifflin, Boston.
Whittaker, R.H. and Marks, P.L. (1975). Methods of assessing terrestrial productivity, In: Primary
Productivity of Biosphere. (eds.) Lieth and Whittaker 55-119. Springer Verlag, New York.
19
Chapter-2
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Lichenology in India
India has a rich diversity of lichens represented by more than 2,000 species (Awasthi 2000),
which is about 10% of the total 20,000 species known from the world. The lichens are common to
abundant in temperate and alpine regions of the Himalayas and hilly regions of the peninsular
India. Through the maximum diversity of lichens in the country is recorded for South Indian
regions and Eastern Himalayan region, but they are relatively common in occurrence in Western
Himalaya (Awasthi 2000). The present number of lichens in the country appears a lower estimate
as many more areas especially mountains and the forest canopies are yet to be explored (Negi and
Gadgil 1996; Negi 1999; Negi and Upreti 2000).
The lichen studies were initiated little late in India as compared to the rest of the world. It was
Quraishi (1928) and Kashyap whose collection was published by Smith (1931). Chopra (1934)
published a comprehensive account of lichens of Himalayas. Dr. D. D. Awasthi in the late forties of
the last century established a school of lichenology in India and a number of lichenological
investigations related with monographic, revisionary and floristic studies were initiated in the
country.
The first record of lichen community studies from India was provided by Dudgeon (1923) who
studied succession of epiphytic lichens on Quercus leucotrichophora tree in Western Himalayas.
Biswas and Awasthi (1948) provided an account of the distribution of Indian lichens; Bhatia (1957)
made observation on the lichen communities of the western Himalayas.
The more extensive and intensive studied on the community ecology of Indian lichens have
initiated recently when Upreti (1995) explained loss of diversity in Indian lichen flora; Upreti
(1996) provided an enumeration of the lichens growing on Shorea robusta trees in Jharsuguda
district, Orissa; Negi and Gadgil (1996) studied in the pattern of distribution of macrolichens in
western part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve; Upreti (1997) provided an account of diversity of
Himalayan lichens; Upreti (1998) extensively discussed in detail the account of lichens occurring
in tropical, temperate and alpine region of India and also categorized lichens according to forest
type with six different vegetation zones of tropical lichens and detail description of endemic lichens
and affinities of Indian lichen flora vis-à-vis world.
20
Community studies can be carried out at various spatial scales. Most of the investigations on
lichen diversity have been descriptive and have concentrated on regional and global scales
(Groombridge 1992; Heywood 1995; Gaston 1996; Galloway 1996). The current focus such studies
is shifting from these higher scales to locally manageable landscapes as land use decisions and
management policies are most often implemented at these latter scales (Ricklefs and Schluter 1993;
Nagendra and Gadgil 1999; Negi 1999). Moreover, floristic inventories particularly of lower plants
suffer from lack of uniform field methods. This has partly hindered progress on long term
monitoring of biological diversity and its conservation (Negi and Gadgil 1997; Negi 1999).
Formulating proper methodology for documenting floristic diversity with ecological correlates
should therefore be a prerequisite for inventorying, periodical monitoring and conservation of bio
resources.
Number of specie and any other higher ranks of taxonomic organization in a site (species
richness or alpha diversity) and their compositional change across different habitat types (species
turnover or beta diversity) within a landscape are important parameters of biodiversity that have
wide applications such as environmental monitoring and conservation evaluation (Magurran 1988;
Pressey et al 1994; Negi 1999).
Singh and Bujarbarua (2002) presented note on the lichen diversity of Assam; Singh et al.
(2004) provided a comprehensive account on the endemic lichens of India. Balaji and Hariharan
(2004) studied the lichen diversity and its distribution pattern in tropical dry evergreen forest of
Guindy National Park (GNP), Chennai. The quantitative ecological data shows the occurrence of
31 species of lichens of fewer than 26 genera of 19 families and 9 fungal orders. These quantitative
ecological data were recorded from 219 individuals of phorophytes in a total 264 samples, out of
which 235 samples were taken from trees, 27 from shrubs and 2 from lianas of ≥3 cm gbh.
Strongest correlation emerged between tree density and host tree diversity of lichen distribution.
Species like Arthopyrenia alboatra, Parmotrema saccatilobum, Strigula elegans, Tapellaria sp. and,
Verrucaria species were found to be narrowly distributed in the park and specific to a single host.
Satya et al. (2005) reported that Shorea robusta tree is a suitable phorophyte for the luxuriant
growth and development of crustose lichens. Out of the 64 lichen species recorded from Shorea
robusta trees in various forest sites of India, 42 species fall under the crustose lichens.
Air pollution and climate changes are threats to maintaining ecological health of protected
areas. Lichens provide a relevant, sensitive and measurable indicator of long term monitoring. The
21
International treaty, Agenda 21 emphasize regular monitoring through sampling and other
techniques, the components of biodiversity especially paying particular attention to those requiring
urgent conservation measures. Thus, biological diversity is now increasingly recognized as a vital
parameter to asses global and local environmental changes and sustainability of developmental
activities. The development of information on the lichen ecology is widely scattered often in many
inaccessible literature sources. Seaward (1977) complied the knowledge on lichens in relation to
physical and biological component of their environment.
Upreti and Chaterjee (1999a) studied the distribution of epiphytic lichens on Quercus and
Pinus trees in Pithoragarh and Almora districts of Kumaun Himalayas. Quercus semecarpifolia
exhibits the dominance of lichen species represented by 25 species while Quercus leucotrichophora
and Quercus floribunda have 20 and 12 species respectively. All tree species have dominance of
Parmelioid species. The cultivated tree of Pinus roxburghii show occurrence of 19 species of
lichens. Upreti and Chaterjee (1999b) also studied the epiphytic lichen flora of Quercus and Pinus
trees in three forest sites of Pithoragarh district, Quercus leucotrichophora at altitude between
2700-3000m has 24 species while Quercus dilatata at the same elevation has only 15 species of
lichen. Both the tree species have dominance of Usenea and Ramalina species. Quercus
leucotrichophora at lower elevation between 1600-1800m has 14 species of lichens. Pinus
roxburghii between altitudes of 15001600m has 21 epiphytic species in the area. Both Quercus and
Pinus trees at lower elevation exhibit dominance of Parmelioid lichens.
Nayaka and Upreti (2002) studied the lichen communities of Sharavati River Basin,
Karnataka, while Srivastava (2006) studied the Great Himalaya National Park, Himanchal Pradesh.
Divakar and Upreti (2005) and Kumar (2008) proposed the Chopta-Tunganath, Saryu River
Valley in Pindari Glacier (Bageshwar district), Nain Singh top en route Milam Glacier, Chaubatia
to Ranikhet (Almora district) and Mussoorie Hills (Dehra Dun district) of Uttarakhand areas as the
“Lichen Sanctuary” owing of their rich, unique and some endemic lichen taxa.
Negi (2000) studied total 3211 colonies of microlichens from twelve 50m X 1m plots
distributed across four microhabitat (vegetation) types between 1500-3700m in Chopta-Tunganath
landscape of Garhwal Himalaya. This study revealed occurrence of 85 species, 15 genera falling
under 13 families. Lobaria retigera stood as a broad niche generalist species with moderate levels
of abundance in all the three major microhabitats, viz. rock, soil and wood across 83% of all the
plots sampled, whereas Umblicaria indica occurring on rock substrates. Heterodermia incana and
22
Leptogium javanicum appeared to be rare members of the community as they were encountered
only once during the field survey. The macrohabitats, in middle altitude (2500-2800m) with
Quercus forest was richest in species and genera followed by higher altitude (2900-3200m) of
Rhododendron forest, higher altitude grasslands (3200-3700m) and the lower elevation (1500m)
Quercus forest. Negi and Gadgil (1999b) suggested that taxonomic rank such as genera may be
used as surrogates for species because it is cost and time effective method for periodic monitoring
of the biodiversity.
Negi (2000a) analyzed spatial patterns of diversity, conservation problems and their
prospects; worked on the community ecology on lichens and mosses of Nanda Devi Biosphere
Reserve, Uttarakhand.
Negi and Gadgil (2002) carried out biodiversity survey in 13, 10m X 50 sq. meter plots
located between 1400-3700m above mean sea level in a range of habitats in temperate mixed oak
and coniferous forest through sub alpine to alpine grass lands in Chamoli district of Uttaranchal
(now called Uttarakhand) state in the Garhwal Himalaya. Cross taxon congruence in biodiversity
(α-diversity and β-diversity) across macrohabitats, mosses, liverworts, woody plants (shrubs and
trees) and ants was investigated, so as to examine the extent to which those groups of organisms
can function as surrogates for each other. Although woody plants provided a major substrate for
macrolichens and mosses, there was no species specific association between them. Woody plant
species richness was highly positively correlated with mosses (r²=0.63, P<0.001), but the
relationship was not particularly very strong with lichens and liverworts. While there was a
significant correlation in the species turnover (β-diversity) of macrolichens with mosses (r²=0.21,
P<0.005), the relationship was relatively poor with woody plants. On the other hand, negative
correlations among them were positive. Since diversity between taxonomic hierarchies within the
group was consistently significantly positively correlated in all these taxa, the higher taxonomic
categories such as genus and family may be employed as surrogates for rapid assessment and
monitoring of species diversity.
Upreti et al. (2004) studied on lichen flora of Gangotri and Gomukh areas of Uttaranchal (now
called Uttarakhand), India and reported 149 lichen species belonging to 50 genera and 21 families,
all the species were collected from the chest height of the trunk and from other substrata at forest
floor.
23
References
Awasthi, D.D. (2000). A Hand Book of Lichens: Bishan Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 23-A, New
Connaught Place Dehradun, India: 19-24. Biswas, K. and Awasthi, D.D. (1948).
th
Distribution of Indian lichens. Proc. 35 Indian Sci. Congress. 3: 216
Balaji, P. and Hariharan, G.N. (2004). Lichen diversity and its distribution pattern in tropical dry
evergreen forest of Guindy National Park (GNP), Chennai. Indian Forester 130(10): 1155-
68.
Bhatia, K.K. (1957). Corticolous lichens of riparian deciduous trees in the central Front range
of Colarado. Bryologist. 78: 44-56.
Chopra, G.L. (1934). Lichens of the Himalayas. Punjab University, Lahore.
Divakar, P.K. and Upreti, D.K. (2005). Parmeliod Lichens in India (a reviosionary study) 12-29.
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 23-A, New Connaught Place Dehra Dun248001 (India).
Dudgeon, W. (1923). Succession of epiphytes in the Quercus incana forest at Landour, Western
Himalayas, Journal of Indian Botanical Society 3:159-272.
Galloway, D.J. (1996). Lichen Biogeography. In: Lichen Biology. (ed.) Thomas H. Nash
(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press). 199-216.
Gaston, A.J. (ed.) (1996). Biodiversity: Biology of numbers and difference (Oxford: Blackwell).
Groombridge, B. (ed.) (1992). Global Biodiversity: Status of earth’s living resources. Chapman and
Hall.
Heywood, V.H. (ed.) (1995). Global Biodiversity Assessment. (Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press).
Kumar, B. (2008). Lichen species distribution, cover and fall in a Quercus semecarpifolia (J E
Smith) forest in Garhwal Himalaya (Ph. D. Thesis, submitted to HNB Garhwal University
Srinagar (Garhwal).
Magurran, A.E. (1988). Ecological diversity and its measurements (Princeton: Princeton University
Press).
Nagendra, H. and Gadgil, M. (1999). Biodiversity assessment at multiple scales: linking remotely
sensed data with field information; Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 96: 9154-58.
Nayaka, S. and Upreti, D.K. (2002). Lichen flora of Sharvati River Basin, Shimoga district,
Karnataka, India. Center for Ecological Sciences. Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore
(Technical Report).
24
Negi, A.K., Bhatt, B.P. and Todaria, N.P. (1997b). Local population impact on forest of Garhwal
Himalaya, The Environmentalist 17 (in press)
Negi, A.K., Bhatt, B.P., Todaria, N.P. and Sakalani, A. (1997a). The effect of coilonialism on
forest and the local people in Garhwal Himalaya, India, Mountain Research and
Development, 17(2) 159-168.
Negi, H.R. (2000a). Spatial pattern of Biodiversity of Lichens. J. Indian inst. Sci. Nov-Dec. 80:
571-89.
Negi, H.R. and Gadgil, M. (2002). Cross-taxon surrogace of biodiversity in the Indian Garhwal
Himayala. Biodiversity conservation.105: 143-55.
Negi, H.R. and Gadgil, M. (1996). Patterns of Distribution of Macrolichens in Western parts of
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve Curr. Scin. 71 (7): 568-75.
Negi, H.R. and Gadgil, M. (1997). Species diversity and community ecology of mosses: a case
study from Garhwal region of Western Himalayas: Int. J. Ecol. Environ. Sci. 23 : 445-462.
Negi, H.R. and Upreti, D.K. (2000). Species Diversity and relative abundance of lichens in
Rumbek catchments area of Hemis National Park in Ladakh. Current Science 78: 1105-12.
Pressey, R.L.; Johanson, I.R. & Wilson, P.D. (1994). Shades of irreplaceability; towards a measure
of the contribution of sites to a reservation goal. Biodiversity Conservation
3: 242-62.
Quraishi, A. (1928). Lichens of Weatrn Himalayas. Proc. Indian Sci. Congress 3: 216.
Ricklefs, R.E. and Schluter, D. (1993). Species diversity: regional and historical influences; in
species diversity in ecological communities: In Historical and geographical perspectives
(eds) R. E. Ricklefs and D. Schluter (Chicago: University of Chicago Press). 350-63.
Satya, Upreti, D.K. and Nayaka, S. (2005). Shorea robusta, an excellent host tree for lichen growth.
Curr. Sci. 89(4): 594-95.
Seaward, M.R.D. (1977). Lichen Ecology. Academic Press, London.
Singh, K.P. and Bujarbarua, P. (2002). A note on Lichen diversity of Assam, India. Proc. U.G.C.
Sponsored State level Seminar on Biodiversity of Assam & its Conservation (Eds. M.K.
Bhattacharya; M. Duttachoudhary and P.B. Majumdar) Karimganj College, Assam. 253-
57.
Singh, K.P.; Sinha, G.P. and Bujarbarua, P. (2004). Endemic lichens of India. Geophytology. 33
(1&2): 1-16.
25
Smith, A.L. (1931). Lichens from Northern India. Trans. Bot. Mycol. Soc. 11: 189-96.
Srivastava, R. (2006). Distribution, diversity, pollution status of lichens in Great Himalayan
National Park, Kullu district, Himanchal Pradesh. Dr. R.M.L. Avadh University, Faizabad.
Ph. D. Thesis.
Upreti, D.K. (1995). Loss of diversity in Indian lichens flora: Environ. Conser. 22: 362-63.
Upreti, D.K. (1996). Studies in Indian Ethnolichenoloy: An over view. In S.K. Jain, Ed.
Ethnobiology in Human Welfare: 384-87 Deep publications, New Delhi, India.
Upreti, D.K. (1997). Diversity of Himalayan lichens. In Himalayan Microbial Diversity (Part 2).
Recent Researches in Ecology, Environment and Pollution (Eds. S.C. Sati, J. Saxena and
R.C. Dubey). Today and Tomarrow Printer and Publishers, New Delhi. 339-47.
Upreti, D.K. (1998). Diversity of lichens in India. In Perspectives in Environment (Eds. S.K.
Aggarwal, J.P. Kaushik, K.K. Kaul and A.K. Jain). A.P.H. Publishing Corporation, New
Delhi. 71-79.
Upreti, D.K. and Chatergee, S. (1999a). Distribution of lichens on Quercus and Pinus trees in
Almora district Kumaun Himalayas, India. Geophytology 28 (1&2): 41-49.
Upreti, D.K. and Chatergee, S. (1999b). Epiphytic of lichens on Quercus and Pinus trees in the
three forest stands in Pithoragarh district Kumaun Himalayas, India. Tropical Ecology 40
(1): 41-49.
Upreti, D.K.; Chatterjee, S. and Divakar, P.K. (2004). Lichen flora of Gangotri and Gomukh areas
of Uttaranchal, India. Geophytology 34 (1&2): 15-21.
26
Chapter-3
PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS IN BROWN OAK

DOMINATED FOREST OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA
BALWANT KUMAR, DINESH GIRI & DILIP KUMAR UPRETI*

Department of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital (India) *National Botanical
Research Institute, Lucknow (India)
ABSTRACT: The present study was carried out in eight forest sites dominated by Quercus
semecarpifolia (brown oak) to asses variations in floral biodiversity and community with changes
in microclimatic conditions between 2500-3500m elevation in Chopta (Garhwal). Anthropogenic
disturbances are changing the species richness and diversity, which influence the soil and
environmental conditions. Thus, the conservation and management of these forests will be
important for the sustainability of human and land in the region. A total of 14 species of trees, 8
species of shrubs and 20 species of herbs & grasses were encountered across the study area.
Key words: Tree species, study sites, Garhwal Himalaya
INTRODUCTION
India is among the important mega-biodiversity centres of the world, with a lot of
contribution from the Himalayan ecosystem. Biodiversity is used variously for fodder, fuel wood,
timber, and leaf litter for manuring crop fields, construction, industrial raw material and several
non-timber forest produce. Biodiversity is the totality of genes, species, and ecosystem in a region.
Vegetation in a mountain area is affected by several factors of which altitude, aspect, slope, soil,
canopy cover and microclimate are predominant at the modify regimes of moisture and exposure to
sun. Forest diversity is the main source of livelihood of the people living in Uttarakhand, Central
Himalaya. Species composition of major forest types of central Himalaya have been described by
Ralhan et al (1982), Saxena and Singh (1984), Singh and Singh (1987), Singh and Singh (1992)
have summarized the information on the structure and function of the Himalayan forest ecosystem.
The present study was conducted in eight forest sites of Quercus semecarpifolia (brown oak)
located between 2500-3500m elevations in Chopta forest of Garhwal to asses the phytosociological
27
analysis of the vegetation. The impact of local people on vegetation, variation in floral biodiversity
and community with changes in microclimatic conditions, and regeneration status were recorded
during 2006.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Chopta forest is located at 79º-79º30´E longitude and 30º30´-30º42´N latitude between
1500-4000m elevation in the Garhwal Himalaya. Altitudinally Chopta is located in temperate zone.
For the detailed study of plant biodiversity and other vegetational parameters, the area was divided
into eight forest sites. All the sites are located approximately within the same elevation range
(2500-3500m).
The Chopta is characterized by its typical climate from temperate to alpine. About 60% of
the area falls under alpine zone, which remains under snow during winter months. Broadly, three
seasons can be recognized for the Chopta area, viz. summer (April-June), rainy (July-September)
and winter (October-March). Winter experiences serve cold the main precipitations are received in
the form of snow. Maximum snow depth occurs in the subalpine and alpine areas during February-
March. With the rise the temperature in the month of April snow start malting in the lower altitudes
by April it remains in scattered isolated patches below 2800m especially in shady localities. Snow
melts only in April-May in the alpine zone. The main annual rain fall of the Central Himalaya is
2000mm (Singh and Singh, 1992). Rains are mostly confined to rainy season and heavy down
pours in rainy season causes landslides and soil erosion.
Total 15 (10mX10m) for trees, saplings and seedlings, 40 (2mX2m) for shrubs, and 40
(50X50cm) quadrats for herbs in each site were placed randomly and studied. Regeneration in the
forests was sampled at four levels namely mature tree, sapling and seedling. Mature tree comprised
of plants with >31.5 cm (gbh) over the bark at breast height (1.37m), sapling included all
individuals >10.5 cm and <31.5cm gbh and seedling class composed individuals of <10.5cm gbh
(Chaturvedi, et al 2005). The vegetational data was calculated for density (Curtis and Mc Intosh,
1950), and species richness was determined following Whittaker (1972) by tabulating the number
of species in each site.
28
RESULTS: Quantitative analysis of trees, saplings, seedlings, shrubs and herbs at different study
sites are given in Table 1-3. A total of 14 species of trees, 8 species of shrubs and 20 species of
th th th
herbs & grasses were recorded from the study area. Except three sites (site 4 , 5 and 8 ) broadly
Rhododendron arboreum have similar major tree species. Quercus semecarpifolia and/or
Rhododendron arboreum are the major tree species in all the eight sites. Only five sites are well
canopied having 50-58% canopy cover. Tree layer: Among the different sites, the maximum total
th
tree density 2488 ind ha⎯¹ recorded in the site 4 . However the minimum total tree density 379 ind
th
ha⎯¹ was recorded at site 8 . The maximum density was of Quercus semecarpifolia (546 ind ha⎯¹)
followed by (390 ind ha⎯¹). Acer sp, Taxus baccata, Lyonia ovalifolia, and Sourbus cuspdata
showed the minimum tree density 6 ind ha⎯¹ (Table 1). Sapling layer: The total sapling density was
recorded between 6-645 ind ha⎯¹ at different sites. The Quercus semecarpifolia was found in
st nd th th
sapling stages at only four sites except site 1 , 2 , 5 , and 8 and its density ranged from 6-133 ind
ha⎯¹ (Table 1). Seedling layer: The seedling density of Quercus semecarpifolia was recorded to
th nd th
maximum 406 ind ha⎯¹ at site 7 and minimum (6 ind ha⎯¹) at site 2 and site 8 respectively.
th
Among the species maximum seedling density was recorded 692 ind ha⎯¹ for site 7 and the
nd
minimum density also recorded 32 ind ha⎯¹ at site 2 (Table 1). Shrub layer: The shrub density was
st th
recorded to be maximum 29675 ind ha⎯¹ at site 1 and minimum 425 ind ha⎯¹ at site 5 . Among the
st
species maximum density was recorded for 33100 ind ha⎯¹ was recorded for site 1 and the
th
minimum density also recorded 2875 ind ha⎯¹ at site 5 (Table 2). Green layer: The herbaceous
th
(ground vegetation) density was recorded to be maximum 526000 ind ha⎯¹ at site 6 and minimum
th
density was 425 ind ha⎯¹ at site 5 . Among the species maximum density was recorded 1699600 ind
th th
ha⎯¹ at site 4 and the minimum density also recorded 422025 ind ha⎯¹ at site 5 .
Distribution pattern: There was no regular distribution pattern of the different strata was observed
in the study area as maximum species (88.01%) displayed their random distribution pattern at
different sites and 11.98% species displayed contagious distribution pattern at different site of the
study area (Kumar, 2008).
29
Table 1: Density (ind ha⎯¹) for trees, saplings and seedlings
Site Species Tree Sapling Seedling

1 Quercus semecarpifolia 193 - 210
Rhododendron arboreum 213 53 -
Abies pindrow 106 - -
Taxus baccata 20 - 26
Ilex dipyrena 40 - -
Acer sp 6 - -
578 53 236
Rhododendron arboreum 80 - 13
Ilex dipyrena 33 - 13
Acer sp 13 - -
Taxus baccata 6 - -
517 0 32
3 Quercus semecarpifolia 153 6 53
Ilex dipyrena 40 - -
Lyonia ovalifolia 6 - 26
Machilus gamblei 33 - -
Quercus floribunda 13 - -
323 6 139
4 Quercus semecarpifolia 546 6 -
Acer sp 220 20 -
Aesculus indica 666 - -
Taxus baccata 666 - -
2488 46 0
Rhododendron arboreum 380 73 16
Taxus baccata 13 6 6
Acer sp 13 - -
712 79 95
Rhododendron arboreum 120 40 40
Acer sp 113 40 -
Taxus baccata 26 - 6
Sourbus cuspdata 6 - -
Syzgium cumini 13 - -
511 90 86
30
Rhododendron anthopogon 160 426 286
Taxus baccata 80 40 -
Syzgium cumini 33 - -
799 645 692
Acer sp 13 - -
Rhododendron arboretum 20 - -
Picea simithiana 180 - -
379 0 66
Table 2: Density (ind ha⎯¹) for shrubs
Species Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Site 7 Site

8
Daphne cannabina 29675 14000 5625 - 3425 - -
Vibrunum cylindricum 1675 4675 800 2125 425 2875 675 6875
Berbaris petiolaris 1750 2000 925 3250 - - 1550
Daphne papyracea - 600 - - - - - -
Thamnoclamus jonsarensis 39100
- - - - - - -
(Ringal)
Cotonneaster microphyllus - - - - 3425 - - 1800
Skimmia anquetilia - - - - - - 22675 2425
Cotoneaster acuminatus - - - - - - 4050 -
Rosa sericea - - - - - - 1925 -
Table 3: Density (ind ha⎯¹) for herbs

Species Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Site 7 Site 8
Lycopodium sp 42800 - - - - - - 190400
Fragaria Sp 388800 418800 484000 366800 42800 - 118000 -
Heteropogon contortus 232800 - 232000 - 202000 - 40800 -
Impatins thomsonii 28000 - - - - - - -
Gentiana peldicellata 38000 340800 266000 - 84000 104000 - 238800
Ocimum americanum 184000 68000 - 10000 32000 52000 - -
Pusiyaghass* 104800 - - 416000 - 526000 28800 230800
Dryopteris sp 40000 254000 - 112800 - 44000 46800 96000
Bistorata macrophylla - 106000 252000 104800 30000 168000 122000 -
Daphniphyllum himalense - 58000 - 160800 - 38800 - -
31
Potentilla fulgens - 92000 54000 - 425 - - 114000
Sellaginella sp - - 172800 - - - - -
Lentanasp - - 100800 - - - 100800 18400
Saxifraga andersonii - - - 16800 30800 - - -
Potentilla fulgens - - - 32800 - - - -
Valeriana jatamansi - - - 100800 - - 16000 44800
Impatins thomsonii - - - 378000 - 68800 - -
Pteris cretica - - - - - - 104000 60000
Gaultheria nummylariodes - - - - - - - 290800
Nardostachys jatamansi - - - - - - - 74800
• Locally identified
DISCUSSION
The present study area is located in the altitudinal range of 2500-3500m and divisible of 8
different study sites on the basis of various disturbances such as grazing, browsing, litter removal
and lopping. Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum are the dominant tree species in
all study sites. Giri, et al (2008) reported, the total tree density ranged from 320 to 1560 ind ha⎯¹ in
Quercus leucotrichophora forest and 320 to 1960 ind ha⎯¹ in Quercus floribunda forest, but it was
not recorded in Quercus semecarpifolia forest. The total tree density ranged from 323-2488 ind
ha⎯¹, total sapling density from 0-645 ind ha⎯¹ and seedling density from 0-692 ind ha⎯¹ were
recorded in present study sites. The tree density was comparatively high than the value of other oak
reported by Giri, et al (2008). Anthropogenic disturbances change the vegetation structure and
regeneration status of a particular forest. The anthropogenic pressure on Quercus semecarpifolia
forest for firewood, fodder and timber, play an important role in declination of forest together with
lichen moss collection. Various levels of disturbances cause the increase in community species
richness. This is because disturbances prevents dominance by a few competitive species and allows
opportunistic species to invade.
In the present years the awareness regarding to conservation of flora and fauna among the
local community and in people residing in the forest has helped in a large extend in protecting the
forest in this area. The tendency of the people have changed as they are earning their livelihood
regularly from forest by some alternative (selling milk, firewood by utilizing the forest foliage)
instead of destroying trees.
32
Appropriate Technology India (ATI) is non-profit organization registered under the India
societies act 1860, was established in August 1994 and developed as centre for ecological studies,
which provides short term training and conduct program regarding conservation of nature and flora
in school and college together with local peoples.
REFERENCES
Chaturvedi, S.N. and Singh, K.P. Plant Biodiversity, Microbial Intraction and Environmental
Biology (2005),145.
Crutis, J.T. and Mc Intosh, R.P.. The interrelations of certain analytic and synthetic
phytosociological characters, Ecology (1950), 31: 434-455.
Giri, D. Tewari, L.M. and Tamta, S. Quantitative analysis of tree species in oak dominant forest of
Uttarakhand, Central Himalaya. Indian Journal of Botanical Research (2008), 4(2):
313-318.
Kumar, B. Lichen species distribution, cover and fall in a Quercus semecarpifolia (J E Smith)
forest of Garhwal Himalaya, Ph. D. Thesis (2008), HNB Garhwal University,
Srinagar (Garhwal), India.
Ralhan, P.K., Saxena, A.K. and Singh, J.S. Analysis of forest vegetation at and around Nainital in
Kumaun Himalaya Proc. Indian Nat. Sci. Acad. (1982), 48B:122-138.
Singh, J.S. and Singh, S.P. Forest vegetation of Himalaya. The Botanical Review (1987), 53: 80-
193.
Singh, J.S. and Singh, S.P. Forest of Himalaya; structure and functioning and impact of man.
Gyanodaya Prakashan (1992), Nainital, India.
Saxena, A.K. and Singh, J.S. 1984. Tree population structure of certain Himalayan forest
associations and implications concerning future composition. Vegetatio, 58: 61-69.
Whittaker,
R.H. 1972. Evolution and measurement of species diversity, Taxon 21:213-251.
33
Chapter-4
ASSESSMENT OF LICHEN SPECIES IN A TEMPERATE

REGION OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA
ABSTRACT: An enumeration of 106 lichen species belonging to 47 genera and 28 families from
Baniyakund-Chopta areas of Garhwal is provided. The area is dominated by macrolichens (foliose
to fruticose form). The area exhibit the luxuriant growth of corticolous lichens represented by the
occurrence of 64% of corticolous (bark inhabiting) lichens followed by 30% of saxicolous (rock
inhabiting) and 4% of terricolous (soil inhabiting) lichens. A single species growing on leaves
(foliicolous) is also recorded from the area. If we compare the lichen diversity of the study area vis-
à-vis other regions, it is about 30% of the Garhwal Himalayas, 20% of the Uttarakhand and 10% of
the Himalayas and less than 0.5% of Indian lichen diversity.
Key words: Lichen diversity, phorophytes, substratum, growth forms
INTRODUCTION
Lichens comprise a unique group of plant that consists of two unrelated organism, a fungus
and an alga, growing together in a close symbiotic association. The study of lichen remains quite
neglected throughout the world, through they together with mosses form dominant organisms in
ecosystem covering over 10% of the earth terrestrial habitats, particularly at higher elevations
(Nash and Egan 1988). Lichens with cynobacterial blue green symbionts, contribute significantly
for forest nitrogen fixation (Slack 1988). Besides many other uses, lichens are also used as
pollution monitors. They are the plants that occur in most adverse conditions of climate and
substrate. Thus the importance of this group in an ecosystem is very heigh in its own way. Lichens
are just like little sponges that take up everything that comes their way, including air pollution
(Fleishner 1994).
Lichens are universally distributed organisms occurring in varied climatic conditions
ranging from the poles to the tropics in earth. They may look like crust, spreading rapidly over the
surface (crustose lichens) or leafy and loosely attached to the surface (foliose lichens) and branched
34
and shrubby, hanging from tree twigs or branches, with a single attachment (fruticose lichens). The
collections were made along the way from Dalkuri to Bhujgali (Chopta) via Chpota and at different
localities of the region. Negi (2000) recorded the occurrence of 85 macrolichens in the area. The
micro lichens from the area were not listed so far.
Site Description
The study site Baniyakund-Chopta is situated between 2500m to 3500m (asl) in the
0 0 0
Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand along with Akashkamini valley at 79 -79 30’E and 30 30’ –
0
30 42’ N. The local human population settled in the low land fringe areas comprises semi
pastoralists with livestock grazing and agriculture as their dominant land use activities. While low
elevation woodlands such as Quercus forests are open for fodder and fuel wood collection
throughout the year, grazing in the higher elevation forests and grasslands starts in early June,
reaching a maximum in July, August and stop in early October. The maximum monthly
temperature in the area varies from around 19ºC to 37ºC from the higher altitude grasslands to the
lower elevation Quercus forests respectively during the snow free months of May to October, while
the minimum temperature drops as low as -15ºC in the alpine grasslands during the months of
December to February.
In general the climate of the Chopta region is less severe summer, more or less higher
precipitation and colder or more prolonged winter. The climatic factors i.e. precipitation,
temperature, relative humidity and wind, in association with elevation (valley or mountain ranges
from foot hills to mountain zones), proximity to Great Himalaya, slope aspect and vegetation type
etc, cause variation in climates at local or even micro levels (Gaur 1999). Major output of
precipitation is in the form of rainfall besides occasional occurrence of due hailstorms, fog, frost,
snow fall etc. The south east monsoon commences towards the end of June and bursts until the mid
of September.
Methodology
The lichen specimens were collected with the help of Chisel and Hammer along with their
ecological notes. The type of forest vegetation, host tree type, location of the lichens thallus (on
trunk, branch, twigs or leaves, soil and rock substratum); together with altitudes and other
ecological notes were recorded. The collected specimens were investigated morphologically,
anatomically and chemically at Lichenology laboratory of the National Botanical Research
35
Institute, Lucknow. The collected samples were packed on hard card sheets inside a lichen
herbarium packet (17cmX10mm) with details of the locality and are preserved at museum Center
for Ecological Studies, Appropriate Technology India Ukhimath (Rudraprayag), Uttarakhand and
also preserved at Botany Department, Hemwati Nandan Bahuguna Garhwal University Sirinagar
(Garhwal) Uttarakhand. A voucher specimen of each species was also preserved at Herbarium of
National Botanical Research Institue, Lucknow (LWG).
Identification of lichen species
The external morphology was studied under dissecting binocular microscope. The anatomy
of the thallus and apothecia were studied under compound microscope. The external morphology
was examined generally in dry condition but dark brown to bluish specimens of Leptogium were
studied in wet condition. The anatomical structures were studied after cutting the section of dry
material by microtome and with the help of safety razor blade. The thin dry sections of the thallus
and ascocarp were immersed in 90% ethyl alcohol to drive off the intercellular or inter-hyphal air
bubbles and the sections were mounted in water or in cotton blue in lactophenol. The colour of
medulla, epithecium, hypohtecium, and ascus were recorded. The shape and size of the asci,
ascospores and conidia were measured in the sections mounted in water. The measurements of the
thallus, medulla, epithecium, and hymenium were generally taken in the sections mounted in cotton
blue. The thallus size was measured in centimeter, lobe size and ascocarps in millimeter and thallus
medulla, epithecium, hymenium thickness, asci and ascospores size in milimicron. Chemistry of the
specimens was included colour spot tests and Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC).
Colour Tests: Colour test has been preferred by chemical reagents by applying it on thallus and
medulla resulting change in color. A positive change is denoted by a positive (+) symbol, followed
by the colour produced and no change in colour is denoted by negative (-) symbol. The chemical
reagents used are as follows:
a) K test: 10-25% aqueous solution of potassium hydro oxide, applied to cortex, medulla and part
of apothecium.
b) C test: A freshly prepared aqueous solution of calcium hypochlorite or bleaching powder or
modern commercial bleaching fluid containing active chlorine. It is prepared by dissolvingcalcium
hypochlorite in the distilled water in 2% ratio.
c) KC test: At a particular spot of thallus, K is applied first and immediately followed by C.
36
d) PD test: Solution of paraphenylenediamine is prepared in ethanol or alcohol in a smallquantity

for the use of a day. It is unstable and can not be used for the next day. A more stable solution
called Steiner’s PD is prepared by dissolving 1.0gm of paraphenylenediamine and 10gm of sodium
sulphite in 100ml of distilled water with 1.0ml of a liquid detergent.This reagent keeps well for
about a month.
e) I test: 2-5gm of iodine is dissolved in water with 0.5gm of potassium iodide. The reagent keeps
well for several days and is to be renewed when fade colour.
Other colour tests: A dilute aqueous solution of nitric acid and aqueous solution of ferric chloride
are sometime used for identification of Buellia species. The spot tests can be done on any part of
the thallus but younger parts give better results. Colour test is done to a small fragment of the
desired lichen thallus part or thallus or ascocarp. A definite colour comes showing the presence of
any lichenic acid.
Micro-crystallography: Micro crystallography was introduced by Asahina (1936). The method
does not need elaborate equipment. A small fragment of lichen to be investigated is placed on the
middle part of a microscopic glass slide and one-two drops of acetone or any other organic solvent
are dripped on to the fragment by means of dropper or pipette. Lichen substances if present gets
dissolved in the solvent and extracted on the slide as residue in a ring form around the fragment as
soon as the solvent evaporates. The thallus fragment is blown off. A micro-cover glass is placed
over the residue and a drop of one of the crystallized fluids (detailed below) is placed at the edge of
the cover glass. The fluid gradually seeps in. The slide is then heated gently over a sprit lamp. The
residue dissolved in the fluid and lichen substances gradually crystallize into their characteristic of
shapes on cooling. These crystals are observed under low power microscope and identified by
comparison with the photographs or line diagram published by Asahina (1950, 1952), Hale (1967),
Thomson (1967), Krog (1951) and others. Identification of depsides, depsidones and dibenzo-
furans is usually confirmed by this method. The crystallizing fluids used are as:
a) G.E.- Glycerol: acetic acid, 1:3
b) G.A.W.- Glycerol: ethanol: water 1:1:1
c) G.A. Ot- Glycerol: ethanol: ortho-toludine 2:2:1
d) G.A. An- Glycerol: ethanol: aniline 2:2:1
e) G.A.Q. - Glycerol: ethanol: quinoline 2:2:1
Chromatography: Earlier in chromatography, paper was used for spotting the lichen substances.
37
Use of paper has been substituted by thin layer chromatographic plates. Glass sheets are either used
in the laboratory by coating with silica gel or precoated Aluminum plates are prepared in the
laboratory by taking ordinary smooth glass plates of 20cm square size. They are thoroughly cleaned
by keeping them in glass tank, dried in a low temperature in (ca. 30-35ºc) oven. About 30gm of
Merck or silica gel ‘G’ is made into a plate in 80ml of distilled water in a conical flask and stirred
vigorously. This amount is sufficient for coating 10 plates. About 9-10ml of the silica gel paste is
spread over glass plates are dried at 35ºc and can be left at that temperature till they are needed for
chromatographic purposes. Generally Parmelinella wallichiana is used as a control for atranorin
and salazinic acid (Rf class 2) and Usnea baileyi or Pyxine phillipina for norstictic acid (Rf class 4)
have been used when the silica gel plate fully spotted with the desired number of extracts. It is
placed in a jar, internally lined by filter paper and containing a specific solvent, level of which is
about 1.0cm below the spotting places of the lichen extracts. The solvent gradually rises up in the
silica gel coating and is allowed to rise up to 14cm mark. The plate is taken out dried in air and
observed under ultra violet lamp; any fluorescence observed is marked or noted. For spotting the
different fatty acids, distilled water is sprayed on the plates and spots are marked with pencil. A
10% aqueous solution of Sulphuric acid is finally sprayed over the coated surface of the plate
which is then placed in an oven at a temperature of 110ºc for about 5-15 minutes or until the
differently coloured spots at different levels become clear. The plate is then taken out, allowed to
cool. The colour of the spots their position for each extract are noted, and again observed under
ultra violet light and finally Rf value are calculated. Identification is made of lichen substances on
the basis of the position and color of the spots by comparison with the charts published by
Culberson (1972), Walker and James (1980) and White & James (1985).
Distance traveled by lichen substance (indicated by spot)

Rf Value=
Distance traveled by solvent (Solvent front)
The following three solvent systems usually used for the chromatography are-
Solvent A or BDA- Benzene: 1, 4 dioxane: acetic acid: 90ml: 25ml: 4ml.
Solvent B or HEF- Hexane: di-ethyl-ether: Formic acid: 130ml: 100ml: 20ml.
Solvent C or TA- Toluene: acetic acid: 85ml: 15ml.
The most common solvent system used for chromatography is-
38
T.O.A- Toluene 180ml, dioxane 60ml: 8- acetic acid.

Three dimensional TLC has also been used to find out and determine lichen substances
which are not detected by one directional T L C. Further sophistication has been achieved by the
use of high performance chromatography (HPLC) and spectrometry. These techniques are much
expensive and usually beyond the reach of an average lichenologist and therefore not detailed here.
Key to the lichen genera of Chopta
1 Thallus leprose-crustose………………………………………… Group I

1a Thallus otherwise……………………………………………… 2
2 Thallus foliose…………………………………………………… GroupII
2a Thallus fruticose or dimorphic………………………………....... Group III
Group I
1a Thallus leprose………………………………………………… 2
1b Thrallus crustose………………………………………………… 3
Thallus byssaceous or crustose leprose, yellow to yellowish
2a green………………………………………………… Chrysothrix
2b Thallus leprose, bluish-white…………………………………… Lepraria
3a Thallus K + purple…………………………………………….. 4
3b Thallus K -…………………………………………………….. 5
4a Thallus orange above, brown black below……………………… Ioplaca
4b Thallus yellow to orange to red above, not brown black below… Caloplaca
5a Ascocarps perithecioid………………………………………….. 6
5b Ascocarps apothecioid………………………………………… 7
6a Spores simple, paraphyses gelatinized………………………… Verrucaria
6b Spores transversely septate, paraphyses simple…………………. Pyrenula
Apothecia periphecioid, disc opening by pore, apothecia
7a immeresed in thalline verrucae………………………………... Pertusaria
7b Apothecial disc wide open apotheciod to elongate lirellate…… 8
39
Ascocarps resembling apothecia but ascolocular in nature, round

8a to lirellate……………………………………………………… Opegrapha
8b Ascocarp true apothecia………………………………………... 9
9a Apothecia elongated - lirellate………………………………….. Graphis
9b Apothecia disc shaped………………………………………….. 10
Asci multi (64-100 or more) - spored, spores hyaline, small,
10a thallus saxicolous……………………………………………… Acarospora
10b Asci 1-8 spored (rarely 12, 16, 32-spored)…………………… 11
11a Spores brown, typically 1 septate, thick celled……………… Buellia
11b Spores hyaline, simple………………………………………… 12
12a Spores large & distinctly thick celled, apothecia adnate sessile… Ochrolechia
12b Spore small, thin or thick celled………………………………... 13
13a Apothecia lecanorine…………………………………………… 14
13b Apothecia lecideine…………………………………………… 15
14a Apothecia initially innate, later plane emergent………………. Aspicilia
14b Apothecia emergent & sessile from the beginning……………. Lecanora
15a Thallus corticate, paraphyses branched & anotomosing……… Porpidia
15b Thallus ecorticate, paraphyses simple to purcate……………… Lecidea
Group II
1a Perithecia immersed within the thallus………………………….. Dermatocarpon
1b Apothecia ± superficial, laminal or marginal…………………. Umbilicaria
Group III
1a Thallus paronelioid or physcioid……………………………… 7
1b Thallus…………………………………………………………… 2
2a Photobiont blue green…………………………………………. 3
2b Photobiont green………………………………………………… 6
3a Photobiont not strtified, thallus homoiomerous………………… Leptogium
40
3b Photobiont stratified, thallus eteromerous……………………… 4

4a Thallus corticated on both surfaces……………………………… 5
4b Thallus corticated in upper surfaces only……………………….. 6
5a Thallus cyphellate, cyphellae in lower surface………………... Sticta
5b Thallus lacking cephellae……………………………………… Lobaria
Apothecia marginal to submarginal, lower surface with veins &
6a pascicalate rhizines…………………………………………….. Peltigera
6b Apothecia laminal, lower surface lacking veins………………… Parmelinella
7a Apothecia nephromoid on lobe ends, thallus cetrarioid…………. 8
Apothecia laminal or marginal, not nephromoid, thallus
7b parmelioid or physcioid………………………………………… 11
8a Upper cortex containing usnic acid……………………………… 9
8b Upper cortex lacking usnic acid………………………………… 10
9a Apothecia mainly laminal, conidia bacillariform……………… Cetrariopsis
9b Apothecia mainly marginal & submarginal, conidia filiform….. Allocetraria
Thallus erect, fruticose or sub fruticose, lobes canaliculate,
lower surface without rhizomes, terricolous, conidia oblong
10a citriform… Cetrelia
Thallus adnate, foliose, lobes not canaliculate, lower surface
10b normally with rhizomes, corticolous, lobe margins ciliate……… Cetrelia
11a Thallus parmelioid……………………………………………… 12
11b Thallus physioid………………………………………………… 22
12a Thallus pseudocyphellate……………………………………… 13
12b Thallus lacking pseudocyphellate……………………………… 14
Thallus enaculate, pseudocyphellae punctiform, rhizines on
13a lower surface reaching up to edge of lobes, medulla K+ red…… Parmelia
Thallus enaculate, pseudocyphellae punctiform, rhizines on
13b lower surface not reaching up to edge of lobes, medulla K-…… Punctelia
14a Thallus ciliate………………………………………………….. 15
14b Thallus lacking cilia…………………………………………… 21
41
15a Thallus with bulbate cilia along margins……………………… Bulbothrix

15b Thallus with simple cilia along margin………………………….. 16
16a Rhizines dichotomously branched……………………………… Hypotrachyna
16b Rhizines simple or squarrosely branched……………………… 17
17a Rhizines restricted in the central part of lower surface………… 18
17b Rhizines present throughout the lower surface………………… 19
Upper surface emaculate, or if maculate, maculae neither
18a forming effigurate nor forming reticulate cracks……………… Parmotrema
Upper surface white maculate, maculae forming reticulate
18b cracks………………………………………………………….. Rimelia
Thallus lobes narrow, linearly elongate, canaliculate,
19a dichotomous.................................................................................. Everniastrum
19b Thallus lobes otherwise………………………………………… 20
Upper surface with effigurate maculae, cilia robust, Markedly
20a tapered, commonly furcate, conidia pliform…………………… Canomachlina
Upper surface emaculate or with spotted maculae, cilia slender,
20b not markedly tapered, simple, conidial cylindrical or bifusiform Myelochora
Rhizomes simple to squarrosely branched, leaving a narrow bare
21a marginal zone less than 2mm wide……………………………. Canoparmelia
21b Rhizomes dichotomously branched up to margin……………… Hypotrachyna
Upper cortex composed of longitudinally disposed compact
22a hyphae, as seen in VLS of thallus……………………………… Heterodermia
Upper cortex vertically disposed, conglutinate hyphae, cellular
22b (paraplectinchymatous) in cross section in any direction……… 23
23a Hypothecium brown to dark brown…………………………… Pyxine
23b Hypothecium hyaline to yellow………………………………… 24
24a Thallus grey brown, K- (atranorin absent)……………………… Phaeophyscia
Thallus glaucous grey to grey, K+ Yyellow (atranorin
24b present)… Physcia
Group IV
42
1a Thallus podetiate or pseudopodiate…………………………… 2

1b Thallus not podetiate, inflated…………………………………… Ramalina
2a Thallus podotia, pseudopotidia solid…………………………… 3
Thallus podetia or pseudopodia hollow, lacking central
2b chondroid axis, poditia with squamules…………...…………… Cladonia
3a Thallus with a central chondroid axis within medulla………… Usnea
3b Thallus lacking central chondroid axis……………….………… 4
4a Thallus on rock, non-acidic soil or decaying debris…………… 5
Thallus on rock or wood, rarely on non-acidic soils, with sucate
4b pseudocyphellae…………………………………………………. Sulcaria
Thallus sterile, with distichous dendroid branches
5a (pseudopodetia) and granular phyllocladia, cephalodia absent… Leprocaulon
Thallus fertile, pseudopodetia with brown to black terminal or
5b lateral apothecia, cephalodia usually present…………………… Stereocaulon
Key to lichen species of Chopta
1 Thallus yellow, greenish yellow, yellow orange………………… 2

1a Thallus whitish or greenish grey, thin with calycin……………… Chryothrix sp
Thallus thin yellow without slight orange or greenish tinge or
greenish yellow, granules minute 0.01-0.1 (0.2) mm diam, thallus
2 K-, KC- or KC orange red P- or P+ orange……………………….. C. candelaris
Thallus thick, vivid primary yellow, granules 0.1-0.2 mm diam,
forming pulverulent mass, thallus K- or K+ fainting orange, C-,
2a KC-, or KC+ red.............................................................................. C. chlorine
3 Scypni centrally proliferated……………………………………… Cladonia sp
3a Podetia with interior of scyphi open, axils olso open……………. C. squamosa
P+ red, primary squamules, 3X1.5 mm, persistent, podetia1oX70
(-130) mm tall, 1-2 mm in diam dichotomously or irregularly
4 branched, cupless, apically attenuated, squamulles on podetia…… C. furcata
4a Podetia taller 20mm and above…………………………………… 5
5 Podetia 30-45mm tall, P+red, apices Subcorymbose……………... C. corymbescens
43
Thallus with tomentum of multicellular hyphal hairs, spore

6 muriform…………………………………………………………... 7
7 Thallus isidiate……………………………………………………. 8
7a Thallus lacking isidia……………………………………………… 9
Thallus surafe distinctly wrinkled, bluish, lobes 3-9mm wide, Leptogium
8 isidia globular to clavate apothecia usually absent ………………. papillosum
9 Whitish stiff trichomes present on thalline exciple………………. 10
9a Trichomes absent on thalline exciple…………………………… 11
Apothecia sessile to constricted at base, upto 2mm diam trichomes
robust and dense on exciple, thallus grey-brown to brown-black,
10 lobes 8-12mm wide, spores 20-35X10-13µm……………………. L. trichophorum
Apothecia sessile to substipitate, up to 5 mm diam exciple thick,
wrinkled with short trichomes, thick dark-brown to grey-black,
11 lobes 3-20mm wide spores 25-34X8-12µm………………………. L. askotense
Apothecia stalk short, constricted, not lobular disc upto 4.5mm
diam, thallus bluish-rgey to dark grey lobes 5-10 (-20) mm wide,
11a smooth, spores 28-37X12-17µ……………………………………. L. pedicelatum
Exciple complete (closed), variable in colour, totally black, lobia
of exciple 4-12 sulcate at upper edge, sulcai black, nacked, not
covered by hyphal tissue, lirellae emergent to dichotomously Graphis
12 branched, spores 8-10 celled, 24-45X6-8µm……………………… sikkimensis
12a Exciple domidiate (deficient at base), black………………………. 13
13 Spores 8-16 celled, 25-50X4-9µm………………………………... G. scripta
14 Thallus leprose, granular, apothecia absent………......................... 15
14a Thallus leprose, granular, apothecia always present.. Lecanora sp1
15 Thallus K-, C-, PD………………………………………………… 16
Thallus having zeorin, greenish, granular without projecting
16 hyphae …………………………………………………………... Lecanora sp2
Thallus lacking zeorin, but having lecanoric like spot, which grey,
16a with dense projecting hyphae……………………………………..
17 Epihymenium of chlarotera type, zeorin absent………………….. 18
18 L. achroa
Thallus containing 2-0-methyl perlatoric acid apothecial disc pale
44
orange brown, epihymenium yellowish brown……………………

19 Lower surface black to brown, lobes sinuate……………………... 20
Apothecia numerous, 3-10mm in diam, atranorin and salazinic Bulbothrix
19a acid present……………………………………………………….. meizospora
20 Apothecia rare, adnate, 2-3mm in diam, atranorin only………… B. bulbochaeta
Opegrapha
21 Spores 1-3 septate or sorediate……………………………………. leptoterodes
22 Thallus isidiate or sorediate………………………………………. 23
22a Thallus lacking isidia and soredia………………………………… 24
Thallus isidiate, isidia coralloid, soredia absent, lobes up to 15mm
wide, upper surface grayish-white to brownish-tan, lower surface
brown-black, medulla c-, KC+ pink or red alectoronic acid and Cetrelia
23 alpha collatolic acid present………………………………………. braunsiana
Medulla C+ pink or red (olivetoric acid present) lobes up to
15mm wide, upper surface grey, grey-white to light- brown, C.
24 smooth to cracked, pseudocyphellae distinct……………………... pseudolivetorum
Medulla C-, KC+ pinkish or KC-, lobes up to 15mm wide, tan or
25 pale, lower surface jet black……………………………………… C. cetrarioides
Everniastrum
26 Lower surface of thallus erhizinate or rhizinies only near margins. cirrhatum
Lower surface with uniform rhizines, and marginal cilia of
26a varying length, once or twice furcated …………………………… E. nepalense
27 Thallus lacking isidea, barbatic acid present or absent…………… 28
Hypotrachyna
28 Medulla K+yellow, atranorin and norstictic acid present………… crenata
Thallus closely to loosely adnate to the substratum, 4-10 across, Myelochora
29 lobes sublinear, subimbricate, 2-4mm wide……………………… irrugans
Thallus adnate to the substratum, 5-10cm across lobes sublinear to
29a subirregular, imbricate, 2-5mm wide, 100-115 µm thick………… M. aurulenta
Thallus isidiate, pycnidia absent, lobes subdichotomously to Parmelinella
30 irregularly branched and sinuate………………………………… wallichiana
Parmotrema
31 Thallus lobe margin lacking cilia…………………………………. mesotropum
45
31a Thallus KC+red…………………………………………………… P. nilgherrense

Spores, straight to curved, transversely 5-9 septate 34-96X3.5- Peltigera
32 5µm……………………………………………………………….. polydactyla
32a Spores acircular, transversely 5-7 septate, 47-75X3-6µm…… P. rufescens
33 Thallus sorediate…………………………………………………... 34
Pertusaria
34 Apothecia unknown & thallus corticolous………………………... leucosorodes
Thallus K+yellow, P+orange, norstictic stitic and constictic acid
35 present……………………………………………………………. P. quassiae
Buellia
36 Spores transversely septate………………………………………. leptochina
Thallus saxicolous, continuous to cracked, areolate, hypothallus
36a present, apothecia 0.2-0.6 (0.8) mm wide, spore 9-15X4-7µm...... B. stigmea
Thallus ribbon like or rosulate, attached to substratum by basal or
37 central part, lower cortex absent………………………………… 38
Thallus ribbon licke, with black rhizinae along margin, lower Heterodermia
38 surface K+yellow-red, PD+yellow-orange, salazinic acid present... leucomela
Thallus rosulate, lobes suberect, lower surface (medulla)
38a K+yellow-red, PD- or PD+ pale yellow, salazinic acid absent…… H. incana
Thallus lacking lower cortex, rhizinae absent on lower surface,
but presence along with the margin, spore with or without
39 polyblastidia………………………………………………………. 40
Lower surface of laciniae white, lacking pigment, black to purple-
40 black in other parts………………………………………………... H. japonica
41 Thallus isidiate and/or sorediate…………………………………... 42
Medulla K+yellow turning reddish, PD+ deep yellow (norstictic
and salazinic acid present), apothecia up to 8mm diam spores 26-
42 32X12-18µm……………………………………………………… H. speciosa
Soralia capitate on short lateral branches, lacunae up to 1.5mm
wide, apothecia up to 3mm diam, marginally sorediate, spores 26- H.
43 32X12-18µm……........................................................................... psuedospaciosa
43a Medulla white……………………………………………………. 44
44 Medulla K-, PD-, thallus often large, much variable, laciniae 2- H. diademata
2.5mm wide, with or without lateral lobes, apothecia up to 7mm
46
diam, margin crenulate to lacinulate, spores 23-35X10-15µm……

Pheophyscia
45 Thallus sorediate, medulla, non-pigmented……………………….. hispidula
46 Thallus UV+yellow………………………………………………. 47
Pyxine berteriana
47 Medulla yellow, deep yellow, hypothecium K+red-violet……….. var himalayensis
Thallus pseudocephallate, ascocarps always more than 0.5mm in
48 diam, immersed, ostiole indistinct or umblicate…………………. Pyrenula immerse
49 Thallus sorediate, dichotomous to irregularly divide…………….. Ramalina roesleri
49a Thallus lacking soredia……………………………………………. 50
Ramalina
50 Thallus canaliculate, ribbon-like………………………………….. canduplicans
50a Thallus not canaliculated………………………………………….. 51
Thallus palmately lobed or dissected, pseudocyphellae alternating
51 with corticated ridges...................................................................... Ramalina sinensis
Thallus strap- shaped to irregular with more than 1mm wide,
51a pseudocyphellae raised on tubercles, prominent white………….. Ramalina sp
A central axis solid, cortex of filamentose branches partially
cracked to areolate and sometimes evanescent, thallus up to 30 cm
long, main branch 0.5mm in diam, lateral branchlets dense, stictic
52a acid complex present…………………………………………….. Usnea pectinata
52b Central axis brown or brownish…………………………………… 53
Lateral branchlets sparse, rigid, filamentous branches with annular
to irregular cracks, pseudocyphellae on palillae , cortex semi-
53 prosoplectenchymatous, stictic acid complex present ……………. Usnea indica
Cortex evanescent through the filamentose branches. Lateral
branchlets variable in length usually quite along, sometimes
53a verrucose, isidiate, spore 8 X 6 µm….. ………………………… Usnea longissima
Cortex present on filamentose branches or sometimes cortex
53b evanescent ………………………………………………………. Usnea pectinata
54 Thallus lacking pseuedocephellai………………………………… 55
Thallus lacking isidia and soredia, apothecia present, cortex single
55 layred, thallus surface papillate, normal branches present……… Usnea orientalis
47
55a Thallus isidiate lacking soredia………………………………….. 56

Thallus decumbent to pendulous, upto 3cm long, branches
56 convergent, lateral branchlets absent stictic acid complex persent Usnea aciculifera
Thallus erect, 6(-8) cm tall, branches divergent, lateral branches Usnea
56a sparse to dense, stictic acid complex present…………………… eumitrioides
Young branches initially sorediate, soredia later isidiate, thallus 3-
9cm tall, branches divergent, strains of norstitic, salazinic, Usnea
57 squamatic and thamnolic acid present…………………………….. subfloridana
Dermatocarpon
58 Lower surface rhizinate, thallus up to 12cm diam………………... vellereum
59 Thallus with lichen substance……………………………………... 60
Thallus with norstictic, stictic and constictic acid, with fragile Lepraria
60 margin sometimes with distinct lobes…………………………….. lobificans
RESULTS
A total of 106 species of lichen specimens from the study area Chopta forest (a purely Q.
semecarpifolia forest) between 2500m to 3500m altitudes were recorded (Table 1). The specimens
were collected in the month of May to October 2006.
Table 1: List of 28 families with 47 genera and 106 species of lichens recorded on different
substrates in the Baniyakund-Chopta.
S. Lichen Taxa Family Growth Substratum

No. Form
1 Acarospora chlorophana (Wahlenb, in Ach.) Acarosporaceae Crustose On rock

Massal.
2 Acarospora saxicola Fink ex Hedrick Acarosporaceae Crustose On rock
3 Allocetraria stracheyi (Bab.) Kurok. & Lai Parmeliaceae Foliose On rock
4 Aspicilia dwaliensis Rasanen Hymeneliaceae Crustose On rock
5 Buellia leptocline(Flotow) Massal. Physciaceae Crustose On bark
6 Buellia stigmea Tuck. Physciaceae Crustose On rock
7 Bulbothrix bulbochaeta (Hale.) Hale. Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
48
8 Bulbothrix meizospora (Nyl.) Hale. Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
9 Caloplaca pelodella (Nyl.) Hasse Teloschistaceae Crustose On bark
10 Caloplaca sp1 Teloschistaceae Crustose On rock
11 Caloplaca sp2 Teloschistaceae Crustose On rock
12 Canoparmelia aptata (Krempedh) Elix & Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

Hale
13 Cetrariopsis wallichiana (Taylor) Kurokawa Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
14 Cetrelia braunsiana (Muell. Arg.) Culb & C. Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

Club
15 Cetrelia cerarioides (Delise ex Duby) Culb & Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

C. Culb
16 Cetrelia pseudolivetorum (Asah) Club & C. Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

Club
17 Cetrelia sanguinea (Schaerer) Club & C. Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

Club
18 Cetrelia sanguinea (Schaerer) Club. & C. Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

Club.
19 Chrysothrix candelaris (L.) Laundon Chrysothricacea Crustose On bark/rock

e
20 Chrysothrix chlorina (Ach.) Laundon Chrysothricacea Crustose On bark

e
21 Cladonia corymbescens Nyl. Cladoniaceae Squamule On soil

s
22 Cladonia furcata (Huds) Schrader Cladoniaceae Squamule On bark/rock with

s moss
23 Cladonia sp. Cladoniaceae Squamule On rock

s
24 Cladonia squamosa (Scop) Hoffm Cladoniaceae Squamule On bark

s
25 Dermatocarpon vellereum Zschacke Dermatocarpace Foliose On rock

ae
49
26 Everniastrum cirrhatum (E Fries) Hale ex Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

Sipman
27 Everniastrum nepalense (Taylor) Hale ex Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

Sipman
28 Graphis aicatricosa Nyl. Graphidiaceae Crustose On bark
29 Graphis chlorotica Graphidiaceae Crustose On bark
30 Graphis proserpens Vainio Graphidiaceae Crustose On bark
31 Graphis scripta (L.) Ach. Graphidiaceae Crustose On bark
32 Graphis sikkimensis (Nagarkar & Patw.) Graphidiaceae Crustose On bark
33 Heterodermia diademata (Taylor) D. Awasthi Phyasciaceae Foliose On bark
34 Heterodermia hypocaesia (Yasuda) Awasthi Phyasciaceae Foliose On rock
35 Heterodermia incana (Stirton) D. Awasthi Phyasciaceae Foliose On bark
36 Heterodermia isidiophora (Vainio) Awasthi Phyasciaceae Foliose On bark
37 Heterodermia japonica (Sato.) Swinsc. & Phyasciaceae Foliose On soil with moss
Krog.
38 Heterodermia leucomela (L.) Poelt Phyasciaceae Foliose On bark
39 Heterodermia pseudospeciosa (Kurokawa) Phyasciaceae Foliose On bark with moss

Culb
40 Heterodermia speciosa (Wulfen) Trevisan Phyasciaceae Foliose On rock
41 Hymenelia sp. Hymeneliaceae Foliose On bark
42 Hypotrachyna awasthiHale & Patw. Parmeliaceae Foliose On rock with moss
43 Hypotrachyna crenata (Kurok) Hale Parmeliaceae Foliose On rock
44 Hypotrachyna exsecta (Taylor) Hale Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
45 Hypotrachyna scytophylla (Kurok.) Hale Parmeliaceae Foliose On rock
46 Ioplaca pindarensis (Rasanen) Poelt & Teloschistaceae Crustose On rock

Hintergger
47 Lecanora achroa (Nyl.) Crombie Lecanoraceae Crustose On bark
50
48 Lecanora sp Lecnoraceae Crustose On rock
49 Lecidea sp. Lecideaceae Crustose On bark
50 Lepraria lobificans Nyl. Lichen Crustose On bark

imperfecti
51 Lepraria sp1 Lichen Crustose On bark

imperfecti
52 Lepraria sp2 Lichen Crustose On bark

imperfecti
53 Leprocaulon pseudoarbuscula (Asah.) Lamb Lichen Crustose On rock

& Ward imperfecti
54 Leptogium askotense D. Awasthi Collemataceae Foliose On bark
55 Leptogium papillosum B. de Lesd Dodge Collemataceae Foliose On bark
56 Leptogium pedicelatum M. P. Jorg Collemataceae Foliose On bark
57 Leptogium trichophorum (Muell.) Arg. Collemataceae Foliose On bark
58 Lobaria retigera(Bory) Trevisan Lobariaceae Foliose On bark
59 Lobaria sp Lobariaceae Foliose On bark
60 Myelochora aurulenta (Tuck) Elix & Hale Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
61 Myelochora irrugans (Nyl.) Exil & Hale Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
62 Myelochora xantholepsis (Mont & Bosch) Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark

Elix & Hale
63 Ochrolechia rosella (Muell. Arg.) Vers. Pertusariaceae Crustose On bark
64 Opegrapha sp. Opegraphaceae Crustose On Leaf
65 Parmelia squarrosaHale Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
66 Parmelinella wallichiana (Taylor) Elix & Parmeliaceae Foliose On soil with moss
Hale
67 Parmotrema mesotropum (Muell. Arg.) Hale Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
68 Parmotrema nilgherrense (Nyl.) Hale Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
69 Parmotrema saccatilobum(Taylor) Hale Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
51
70 Peltigera polydactyla (Neck) Hoffm Peltigeraceae Foliose On bark/Soil with

moss
71 Peltigera rufescens (Weiss) Humb Peltigeraceae Foliose On soil with moss
72 Pertusaria aqussiae Fe Pertusariaceae Crustose On bark
73 Pertusaria leucosorodes Nyl. Pertusariaceae Crustose On bark
74 Phaeophyscia hispidula (Ach.) Moberg Phyasciaceae Foliose On bark
75 Phyllopsora albicans Muell. Arg. Lecideaceae Crustose On bark
76 Physcia dimidiata (Ach.) Nyl. Physciaceae Foliose On bark
77 Porpidia albocoerulescens (Wulfen) Hertel & Porpidiaceae Crustose On rock

Knoph in Hertel
78 Porpidia crustulata(Ach.) Hertel & Knoph in Porpidiaceae Crustose On rock

Hertel
79 Porpidia macrocarpa(DC) Hertel & Knoph in Porpidiaceae Crustose On rock

Hertel
80 Punctelia borreri (Sm) Krog. Parmeliaceae Foliose On bark
81 Punctelia neutralis (Hale) Korg. Parmeliaceae Foliose On rock
82 Punctelia subrudecta (Nyl.) Krog. Parmeliaceae Foliose On rock
83 Pyrenula immersa Muell. Arg. Pyrenulaceae Crustose On bark
84 Pyrenula immissa (Stirton) Zahlbr Pyrenulaceae Crustose On bark
85 Pyxine berteriana var himalaica D. Awasthi Phyasciaceae Foliose On bark
86 Pyxine subcinereaStirton Physciaceae Foliose On bark
87 Ramalina conduplicans Vainio Ramalinaceae Fruticose On bark
88 Ramalina himalensisRasanen Ramalinaceae Fruticose On rock
89 Ramalina roesleri (Hochst) Hue Ramalinaceae Fruticose On bark
90 Ramalina sinensis Jatta Ramalinaceae Fruticose On bark
91 Rimelia reticulata (Taylor) Hale & Fletcher Parmeliaceae Foliose On rock
92 Stereocaulon foliolosum Nyl. Stereocaulaceae Foliose On rock
52
93 Stereocaulon pomiferum Duvign. Stereocaulaceae Foliose On rock
94 Sticta nylanderianaZahlbr. Stictaceae Foliose On bark
95 Sulcaria sulcata (Lev) Bystr. Ex Brodo & D. Alectoriaceae Foliose On bark

Hawkow
96 Umbilicaria badia Frey Umbilicariaceae Foliose On rock
97 Umbilicaria indica Frey Umbilicariaceae Foliose On rock
98 Umbilicaria virginis Schaerer Umbilicariaceae Foliose On rock
99 Usnea aciculiferaVainio Usneaceae Fruticose On bark
100 Usnea eumitrioides Mot. Usneaceae Fruticose On bark
101 Usnea indica Mot. Usneaceae Fruticose On rock
102 Usnea longissima Ach. Usneaceae Fruticose On bark
103 Usnea orientalis Mot. Usneaceae Fruticose On bark
104 Usnea pectinata (Taylor) Usneaceae Fruticose On bark
105 Usnea subfloridana (Stirton) Usneaceae Fruticose On bark
106 Verrucaria acrotella Ach. Verrucariaceae Crustose On rock
DISCUSSION
The most common lichen species growing on different phorophytes belongs to the genera
Chrysothrix, Parmelioid, Usnioid and Graphidiaceous lichens while Acarospora, Aspicilia,
Umblicaria, Dermatocarpon, Porpidia, Buellia and Caloplaca mostly prefers to grow on rocks.
Species of lichen genera Peltigera, Lobaria and Sticta prefers soil for their growth. The lichen flora
in the study area exhibits greatest abundance in variety and luxuriance of growth. The lichens in the
study area seem to prefer the bark of trees or rock as their substratum. Lichens also occur on soil,
decaying wood, mosses and humus. The corticolous lichens are greatly influenced by the physical
characters of the bark. Corticolous lichens may be epiphloedal or endophoedal based on their
growth above or within the substratum. In epiphloedal lichens or the lichen tissue (especially the
algal layer) develops above the outermost corky layer of bark, although few layers of cork are
incorporated into the lower portion of the thallus. In endophloedal lichens the thallus crust lies
entirely below the cork of periderm. Section of endophloedal crustose lichens together with their
53
bark substrate generally show that the lichen thallus remains to the corky outer periderm by one or
many layers of suberised impermeable cork cells. The nature of bark (smooth or rough) and
moisture retaining capacity of bark also plays vital role in determining the type of lichen species.
Quercus, Rhododendron, Acer spp. and many other trees, as well as species of shrub and ringal act
as favorable substrate for the luxuriant growth of lichens. Together with trees some shrubs of
Berberis and Cotoneaster also provide a suitable substrate for growth of many lichen taxa.
The growth of lichens on rock is based on the physical and chemical characters of the rocks.
The hard, permanent, and moist rock preferred by most of the lichen than the rocks which weather
soon and allowing less time to the lichen to produce reproductive organs. Proximity of water to
substratum also exerts great influence in determination of the type of lichen growth.
The lichen on the rock depends upon whether the rocks are acidic or basic. The exposure
and moisture relationship strongly influence the lichen cover on rocks. The boulders along the
stream and in open fields and fell fields are suitable habitats for lichens. In the open boulder fields
the foliose lichen Heterodermia and Phaeophyscia occupies the exposed rocks and boulders while
humus and soil containing pebbles at the base of boulders in moist places provide a habitat for
lichen species Cladonia and Peltigera. The exposed dry boulders received sunrays throughout the
day remains more or less dry and hot and only few dark black Buellia and Acarospora species able
to grow.
The common epiphytic foliose and fruticose genera are Everniastrum, Parmoterma,
Heterodermia, Bulbothix, Hypotrachyna, Leptogium, Parmelia, Parmellinella, Lobaria, Ramalina,
Rimelia, and Usnea. These genera colonize on trunk, branches, minor branches and twigs.
The moist shady location in the study area provide suitable habitat for growth of terricolous
(soil inhabiting) and muscicolous (moss inhabiting) lichen species of Peltigera and Cladonia.
Vertical face of roads covered with moss and small herbaceous plant provide a moist shady habitat
for growth of terricolous and muscicolous lichens. Among different lichen forms the foliose forms
dominated the area by 57 species followed by crustose 34 and 11 fruticose and 4 squamules
species. Among the different lichen families, the Parmeliaceae exhibit its dominance in the area
represented by 15 genera (31.9%) out of the 74 genera of lichens known from the area.
REFERENCES
Fleishner, T.L. 1994. Ecological costs of livestock grazing in Western North America: conservation
54
Biology 8(3) 633 pp.

Gaur, R.D. (1999). Flora of district Garhwal Himaya (with ethnobotanical notes) 3-4.
Kumar, B. 2008. Lichen species distribution, cover and fall in a Quercus semecarpifolia (J E
Smith) forest of Garhwal Himalaya (Ph. D. Thesis), HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar
(Garhwal), India.
Nash, T.H. and Egan, R.S. 1988. The biodiversity of lichens and bryophytes. In: Lichen,
Bryophytes and air quality. (Eds. Thomas Nash III & Vilkmar Wirth). Bibl. Lichenol.
30: 11-22 J. Carmer in der Gebr. Borntra. Verlag. Berlin, Stuttgart.
Negi, H. R. 2000. On the pattern of abundance and diversity of macrolichens of Chopta-Tunganath
in the Garhwal Himalaya, 375-77 pp. Slack, N.G. 1988. The Ecological Importance of
lichen and Bryophyte. Bib. Lichenol. 30: 23-53 pp.
55
Chapter‐5
MACRO-LICHENS COVER AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION PATTERN ON TWO

COMMON PHOROPHYTES (QUERCUS SEMECARPIFOLIA AND RHODODENDRON
ARBOREUM) IN A TEMPERATE FOREST OF RUDRAPRAYAG DISTRICT GARHWAL
(UTTRARKHAND), INDIA
ABSTRACT
Macro-lichens cover and their distribution pattern on two common Quercus semecarpifolia
and Rhododendron arboreum trees from the moist temperate forest (Chopta) of Garhwal Himalaya.
Out of three d. b. h. classes trees (diameter at breast height), d. b. h. between 0.1-0.30m, has found
maximum cover of macro-lichens at southeast aspect.
Key Words- Lichen cover, Macrlichens, Garhwal Himalaya
INTRODUCTION
Lichens are most successful symbiotic organisms in nature, dominating 8% or more of the
earth’s terrestrial area (Ahmadjian 1995) and are amongst the most significant indicators of air
pollution and ecosystem health (Richardson 1992, Wolseley et al 1995, Upreti 1995). They are very
sensitive to microclimatic changes. Therefore any natural manmade disturbances are bound to
affect lichen populations (Negi, 1996). Lichens are able to grow in diverse climatic conditions and
on equally diverse substrata. They are widely distributed in almost all the phytogeographical
regions of the world. Requisite moisture and light, unpolluted air and undisturbed substratum often
favor optimum growth and abundance of lichens (Awasthi, 2000).
To assess the micro-lichen distribution pattern and cover on different tree species, the host tree
species were identified through a survey and presence or absence of occurrence of macro-lichens
on different tree species in an open canopied forest (ocf) and a closed canopied forest (ccf) were
recorded. A total of eight tree species viz. Rhododendron arboreum, R. anthopogon, Quercus
semecarpifolia, Taxus baccata, Ilex dipyrena, Abies pindrow, Asculus indica, and Acer sp were
identified in both the forest between 2500m to 3500m altitudes. Due to variation of the aspects and
vegetation type on the southeast aspect (ocf site) only two species viz. Quercus semecarpifolia and
56
Rhododendron arboreum were present there. Rhododendron arboreum was less dominant than the
Quercus semecarpifolia. Thus comparison of macro-lichen species distribution and cover on
different parts viz. trunk, branch and twigs of these two tree species were performed.
The present paper, enumerates the cover of some macro-lichens of the Chopta area of the
Garhwal Himalaya viz. Usnea, Everniastrum, Parmotrema, Cetrariopsis and Ramalina. Because
these five lichen taxa are commercially exploiting in some high altitude area of Uttarakhand state.
METERIALS AND METHODS

Site
Chopta forest is situated between 2500m to 3500m altitudes along with Akashkamini
valley of district Rudraprayag (Garhwal) India. A stratified random sampling method was
employed. For the assessment of the macro-lichen species distribution pattern and cover on tree
parts, the selected host tree species viz. Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum were
stratified into different parts or locations of tree parts, due to suitability of the work, on northwest
aspect and south east aspect of the forest. The studied parts of the host tree are as trunk, branch, and
twigs.
Sampling of host trees

The trees were categorized into three d. b. h. (diameter at breast height) classes viz. 0.1-0.30m,
0.31-0.60m and 0.61-0.90m. Five trees of each species on both the site of the forest of each d .b. h.
class were selected randomly between 2500m to 3500m altitudes, and laid five quadrats (10cm²)
randomly on each selected tree trunk and in each quadrat, number of individuals of small, medium
and large macro-lichens were counted in each sample quadrat and noted properly. The d. b. h of the
trunk was also recorded. Similarly three branches of each selected tree species randomly selected
and placed randomly five quadrats (5cm²) on each branch and count and noted the number of
individuals of small, medium and thallus in each quadrat sample.
The summing of individuals of each small, medium and large macro-lichen taxa in total
number of quadrats studied on total sample trees trunk (five trunks) and multiplied by calculated
mean size of small, medium and large size of each selected macro-lichen and the calculated value is
divided by total number of quadrats studied. The calculated mean cover represented by square
centimeter size of the lichen on the tree part. Formula (Kumar, 2008)-
57
C= T x A / N
Where ‘C’ is the size wise cover (cm²) of a macro-lichen.
‘T’ is the total number of individuals of each small, medium & large size macro-lichen taxa in all
quadrats studied on total number of sample trunk for each dbh class.
‘A’ is the calculated size of macro-lichen taxa.
‘N’ is the total number of quadrats studied on total sampled trunk of each dbh class.
Similarly for branch the lichen species cover (size wise) were calculated by the following
formula (Kumar, 2008)-
C= B x A / N
Where ‘C’ is the size wise cover (cm²) of macro-lichen taxa.
‘B’ is the total number of individuals of each small, medium & large size macro-lichen taxa in all
quadrats studied on total number of branches for each dbh class tree.
‘A’ is the calculated mean size of that lichen taxa.
‘N’ is the total number of quadrats studied on total sampled branches of each d. b. h. class tree.
To estimate the lichen cover on twigs, a scale with ten centimeter marking at 1cm distance
was used on five randomly selected twigs of each d. b. h. class tree, and the sum of total lichen
cover on all sampled twigs of each d. b. h. class trees, was divided by total number of twigs
sampled on that d. b. h. class trees (Table 1).
Table 1: Calculated mean size (cm²) of each major lichen taxa

Major lichen Calculated mean size of major macro-
species lichen thallus (cm²)
Small Medium Large
Everniastrum 1.7 3.12 6.48
Parmotrema 1.74 3.08 5.0
Usnea 1.9 3.74 6.0
58
Ramalina 1.56 3.02 4.88
Cetrariopsis 1.74 3.1 5.94
RESULTS
The macro-lichen cover analysis on the tree parts at two different study sites are given in table
2, 3, and 4. In both the aspects young saplings of Quercus semecarpifolia (dbh between 0.01-
0.30m) provides maximum lichen cover, and Rhododendron arboreum recorded minimum cover
of macro-lichens.
Table 2: Lichen cover (cm²) on trunk of two phorophytes at southeast aspect (ocf)
Available mean surface area Lichen

Phorophyte Trunk dbh (m²) for covering/growth of cover
(Trunk) (m) lichens (cm²/10cm²)
Q. semecarpifolia 0.1-0.30 0.33 7.46
0.31-0.60 0.9 4.13
0.61-0.90 8.4 3.2
R. arboreum 0.1-0.30 0.17 4.24
0.31-0.60 1.31 2.31
0.61-0.90 5.42 1.39
Table 3: Lichen cover (cm²) on trunk of two phorophytes at northwest aspect (ccf).
Available mean surface area Lichen

Phorophyte Trunk dbh (m²) for covering/growth of cover
(Trunk) (m) lichens (cm²/10cm²)
Q. semecarpifolia 0.1-0.30 0.35 9.46
0.31-0.60 0.95 1.43
0.61-0.90 8.02 2.37
R. arboreum 0.1-0.30 0.12 0.61
0.31-0.60 0.96 0.53
0.61-0.90 4.36 0.85
59
Table 4: Lichen cover (cm²) on branch of the phorophytes
Available mean
Lichen surface area of the
cover branch for growth
Forest Branch Lichen taxa (cm²/5cm²) of lichen taxa (m²)
OCF Q. semecarpifolia Everniastrum 2.21
Parmotrema 0.69
Usnea 1.62
Ramalina 0.17
Cetrariopsis 0.24
Total cover 4.93 0.08
R. arboreum Everniastrum 0.92
Parmotrema 0.35
Usnea 0.42
CCF Q. semecarpifolia Everniastrum 3.28
Parmotrema 0.34
Usnea 0.62
Ramalina 0.16
Cetrariopsis 0.07
R. arboreum Everniastrum 0.08
Parmotrema 0.29
DISCUSSION
The lichen cover indicates the tree growth function and also attributes for health and
ecosystem function of the area. The corticolous lichens growth on tree bark is a useful indicator of
60
young trees. The lichen cover on different parts of phorophytes at south east aspect (open canopied
site) of the forest as young Quercus semecarpifolia tree diameter (dbh) between 0.1-0.30m, the
lichen cover was 7.46cm²/10cm² and the available mean surface area of the trunk was recorded
0.33m². The trunk diameter between 0.31-0.60m exhibit lichen cover 4.13cm²/10cm², when the
available surface area of the trunk was recorded 0.901m². Similarly the trunk diameter between
0.61-0.90m when the available surface area of the trunk was 8.40 m² and 3.20cm²/10cm² lichen
cover was recorded.
In the northwest aspect (ccf) of the same forest, the Q. semecarpifolia young tree diameter
(dbh) between 0.1-0.30m has 9.46cm²/10cm² lichen cover out of 0.35m² available surface area of
the trunk. The trunk diameter (dbh) 0.31-0.60m has 1.43cm²/10cm² of lichen cover in 0.95m²
surface area of the trunk. Similarly the trunk diameter 0.61-0.91m has lichen cover of
2.37cm²/10cm² out of 8.02m² surface area of the trunk. Both the foliose lichen genera Everniastrum
and Parmotrema covered about 1cm²/10cm² area of the Q. semecarpifolia while other lichen genera
Usnea, Ramalina and Cetrariopsis exhibit lower lichen cover.
Lichen cover on branch of Quercus semecarpifolia was recorded as 4.93cm²/5cm² out of the
available surface area of 0.08m² at southeast aspect (ocf). In the north west aspect (ccf) it was
recorded 4.46cm²/5cm² out of available area of 0.08m². In both the aspect the Everniastrum play a
significant role providing as it constitutes the highest lichen cover (3cm²/5cm²). The other lichen
taxa provide a poor representation (<1cm²/5cm² area) for lichen cover on Quercus semecarpifolia
branch (Table 4).
The Quercus semecarpifolia tree at, northwest aspect exhibits the maximum lichen cover
represented by more than 70% while southeast aspect has only 40% of lichen cover.
In the open canopied forest the Rhododendron arboreum trunk shows maximum lichen cover.
The Rhododendron arboreum tree trunk in closed canopied site has poor lichen cover (<
1cm²/10cm²) as compare to the open canopied trees (Table 2 and 3).
The Rhododendron arboreum trunk dbh between 0.1-0.30m has 4cm²/10cm² of lichen cover.
The trunk with 0.31-0.60m dbh has 2.31cm²/10cm² of lichen cover out of the available surface area
of 1.31m². The trunk of dbh 0.61-0.91m recorded 1.39cm²/10cm² lichen cover out of 5.42m²
61
available surface area of the trunk. It is interesting to note that the lichen cover was decreasing with
increasing diameter of the R. arboreum trunk (Table 2 and 3).
Rhododendron arboreum branches in the open canopied forest has 0.92cm²/5cm cover of
Everniastrum which is quite low in the closed canopied forest (0.08cm²/5cm), while the
Parmotrema cover in both closed and open canopied forest was more or less similar. The fruticose
lichen Usnea was not recorded only closed canopied Rhododendron forest (Fig. 4.12 and 4.13). The
twigs and trunk of Rhododendron arboreum in northwest aspect bear 16% of lichen taxa than the
southeast aspect, which has only 5% of lichens.
The size of lichen cover may be affected by a number of climatic variations in the study area.
The aspect variation, type of vegetation, darkness and disturbances, presence or absence of light,
moisture and other climatic conditions play important role in growth and colonization of lichens. It
also depends on the age and bark condition of the tree. The bark of the trees in closed canopied
forest; provide excellent conditions for growth of other epiphytes viz. mosses, bryophytes, ferns,
orchids, and angiosperms. Thus there remains little space for lichens to colonize.
REFERENCES
Ahmadjian, V. Lichens Annu Rev Microbiol (1965) 19 1-220.
Awasthi, D.D. A Hand Book of Lichens (2000). Bishan Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 23-A, New
Connaught Place Dehradun, India 19-24.
forest of Garhwal Himalaya. Ph. D. Thesis (2008), H. N. B. Garhwal University Srinagar
(Garhwal).
Negi, H.R. Usnea longissima - the winter staple food of Musk deer: a case study from Musk Deer
Breeding Center. Kanchulakharak in Garhwal Himalaya (1996): Tiger Paper (23) 30-32.
Richardson, D.H.S. Pollution monitoring with Lichens England, Richmond Publishing (1992).
Upreti, D.K. Loss of diversity in Indian lichens flora: Environ. Conser. (1995) 22: 362-63.
Wolseley, P.A. A global perspective on the status of lichens and their conservation: Mitt.
Eidgenoss. Forsch. Anst. Wald Schnee Landsch (1995) (70) 11-27.
62
Chapter-6
ESTIMATION OF DRY MASS OF EPIPHYTIC LICHENS IN A

TEMPERATE FOREST OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA
ABSTRACT
The dry mass of epiphytic lichens of two common Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron
arboreum trees from the moist temperate forest of Chopta-Tunganath region of Garhwal Himalaya
District Rudraprayag has been discussed. Out of three d. b. h. classes’ trees (diameter at breast
height), d. b. h. 1-30cm and 30-60cm has found maximum mass of epiphytic lichens.
INTRODUCTION
According to the concept of Esseen & Renhorn (1998), high biomass of epiphytic lichens is a
characteristic feature of many old- growth forest ecosystems in temperate and boreal areas. Various
workers like Pike (1978), Boucher & Nash (1990), Knops et al. (1991, 1996) and Esseen et al.
(1996) epiphytic lichens are abundant, they may play an important role in the nutrient cycling in
forest ecosystem. In the temperate regions of the Garhwal Himalaya lichen collection is a common
practice among the villagers and the trivial to collect the lichens together with tree twigs, as oak
trees especially Quercus semecarpifolia (Kharsu oak). The precipitation peculiar to the high
altitudes raise the atmospheric humidity; the frequency of clouds in summer as well as the snow
amount in winter are water reservoirs favouring the development of lichen flora. As a result, this
superior band of wood vegetation includes the great number of lichen species. The great richness of
Usnea and fewer Ramalina genera represented by aerophile species.
The present paper, enumerates the dry mass of major epiphytic lichens was only for five major
lichen taxa of the Chopta area of the Garhwal Himalaya viz. Usnea, Everniastrum, Parmotrema,
Cetrariopsis and Ramalina. Because these five lichen taxa are commercially exploiting in some
high altitude area of Uttarakhand state. In order to collect lichens from the trees it is not allowed
because of the lichens are very slow grower plants, these are pioneer plants in all the epiphytes, if
the lichens are extracted from any plant species, the other epiphytes like orchids, mosses and
63
angiosperms can be effected and unable to re-sprout. Kumar (2008) study showed only the ground
or fallen lichen collection should be possible.
In order to improve the socio-economic standard of the people of Uttarahkand, it may also be
necessary to increase and improve the botanical resources of the area. Depletion of lichen
population is a matter of concern from conservation standpoint because of several reasons; being
unique symbiotic organisms they contribute to biodiversity; they are ecologically important as
food, shelter and nesting materials for a variety of wild animals (Mc Cune and Geiser 1997).
The Chopta region lies between and 30° 30'-30° 42' N latitude and 79°-79° 30' E longitude in
the Garhwal Himalaya is dominated by Quercus semecarpifolia trees associated with
Rhododendron spp, Taxus baccata, Abies pindrow, Aser spp. and Cotoneaster shrub. The dry mass
estimation of major lichens from the area on Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboreum
trees made between 2500m - 3500m above mean sea level. We have identified two purely Q.
semecarpifolia forest at southeast aspect (open canopied forest) and northwest aspect (closed
canopied forest) of the study area. At presents lichen exploitation has band in the study area due to
the area comes under the Kedarnath Wild Life Sanctuary area (KWLS). The study has been carried
out during June to September 2006. To assessing the mass of major epiphytic lichens vegetation on
three dbh classes trees, we have developed a appropriate methodology. Before collecting the
epiphytic lichen mass, we have provided a reconnaissance survey to collecting the information on
traditional method of lichen harvesting from some high altitude villages of district Chamoli.
A. Traditional Method of Lichen Harvesting
The method has been traditionally followed by lichen collectors of Deval and Tharali block of
Chamoli district of Uttrakhand. In these areas lichens collected by the villagers or lichen collectors
of Ratgawn, Bursol, Dungari, Man, Kolpuri, Mundoli, Vaan, Kuling, Baak and Ghes village. This
area comes under the Badrinath forest division. These areas falls within the Garhwal Himalaya
region and the forests are dominated with Quercus semecarpifolia (brown oak) and these areas lies
between 2000m to 3000m altitudes in west Pinder range of Tharali Tehsil. Brown oak trees of the
area harbors luxuriant growth of epiphytic lichens. The collectors collects these plants from the
64
forests and sold it in the local market at Tharali, Deval and Narayanbagar. Some villagers also sold
it at Kerabagar and Vaan village of the area.
Villagers of Ratgawn region, approximately 250 collectors collects these plants from the
forests in every day in its peak season of collection especially for fallen lichen collection from
March to May; there is a major cause of lichen fall due to heavy snow fall in the high altitude areas
of the forest. The traditional method of lichen collection is locally called ‘Makku Tipan’. Lichen
extracts from standing trees through climbing on tree parts (as trunk, branch and twigs) and lichen
removed from bark through hands, and for large tree or long branches, a traditional method has
followed and used a iron knife tied on a log and then applied it for lichens extraction from the trees.
If this kind of technique has not possible, then they cuts the tree parts and after fall down the branch
or twigs and extract lichens. Some time the Nepalese are also collects lichens from the forest, they
stay there for a month and they harm the trees during the lichen extraction and they also cuts the
branches of the trees and extract lichens for sale and wood for fuel or cooking.
B. Sampling of Epiphytic Lichen Thallus

To assessing dry mass of epiphytic lichens, we have collected fifteen (15) individuals of each
major lichen taxa from the forest and calculated their dry mass (sun dry mass) for each selected
lichen taxa.
C. Sampling of Phorophytes
On the basis of availability of tree species (phorophytes) in both the aspect of the forest, lichen
rich habitat and to convenience of the study (as easy to climbing for lichen species counting on tree
parts) at both the forest (open canopied as well as closed canopied forests), the trees of Q.
semecarpifolia and R. arboreum categorized into three dbh classes as 1-30cm, 31-60cm and 61-
90cm. Three replicates of each dbh class of each phorophyte have randomly selected in both the
forests.
D. Counting of Major Epiphytic Lichens on Selected Phorophytes and Estimation of their

Dry Mass
We have just counts the number of individuals of each major epiphytic lichen taxa on tree
trunk, three randomly selected branches (including lichens on the sub branches and on twigs) of
selected trees of each dbh class. The lichen dry mass calculated with the help of following formula-
65
i. Lichen dry mass on trunk = Total number of individuals of each major epiphytic lichen on
trunk X estimated dry mass of each major lichen taxa.
ii. Lichen dry mass on a branch = Sum of individuals of each lichen taxa on all randomly
selected branches of the tree X estimated dry mass of each lichen taxa / total number of
randomly selected branches.
iii. Lichen dry mass on the total branches of the tree = lichen dry mass on a branch X total
number of branches of the selected tree.
iv. Total dry mass of lichens on the tree (phorophyte) = lichen dry mass on tree trunk + lichen
dry mass on all branches of the phorophyte.
RESULTS
The maximum dry mass of epiphytic lichen of Usnea species represented by 11mg followed
of 6mg Ramalina species and 5mg of Parmotrema species. Two species of lichens i.e.
Everniastrum and Cetrariopsis have found equal dry mass. The youngest Q. semecarpifolia trees
dbh 1-30cm provided 329.16(±112.2) g. lichen d.w/tree, at south east aspect, and it was greater
about 588.46(±454.93) g. lichen d. w. /tree Q. semecarpifolia at north west aspect of the forest The
Q. semecarpifolia tree dbh 31-60cm recorded 598.56(±317.31) g. lichens d. w. /tree (south east)
and 496.86(±349.87) g. lichen d. w. /tree (north west). Similarly for tree dbh 61-90 cm, the lichen
dry mass was found on the phorophyte as 753.7(±53.51) g. lichen d. w. /tree at south east and only
189.13(±83.62) g. lichen d. w. at north west aspect of the forest.
Lichen mass on the second phorophye Rhododendron arboreum was found very poor as
campared to Q. semecarpifolia, due to type of bark, shape and size of the tree. In case of R.
arboreum the highest dry mass of lichens was recorded on trees dbh 61-90cm dbh was
72.76(±35.67) g. lichen d. w. /tree at north west aspect and it was lesser 21.4 (±13.21) g. lichen d.
w. /tree at south east aspect of the forest.
DISCUSSIONS
The lichen mass was situated in the Chopta area on Quercus semecarpifolia and
Rhododendron arboreum, species trees at southeast and northwest aspect. The major lichen taxa
exhibited on individual pattern of vertical distribution. The lichen mass depends on tree cover, size
66
& shape of tree, age of tree, and climate of the region. The Quercus semecarpifolia is an excellent
phorophyte to providing much lichen mass due to dome shaped canopy.
In both the cases the phorophytes Q. semecarpifolia and R. arboreum, more than 70% mass of
major epiphytic lichens was contributed by the canopy twigs and remaining 30% lichen mass
contributed by tree branches and trunk or bole at both the aspect of the forest.
The youngest trees of Q. semecarpifolia have found as good lichen mass due to the age
trees and smoothness in the trunk bark and absence of growth of other epiphytes, and in case of
sapling (dbh1-30cm), all the parts of the saplings (including trunk, branches and twigs) were
contributed for lichen mass. In case of increasing diameter (dbh>31cm), the twigs also provided
good lichen mass as compared to tree branch and trunk or bole.
The Usneaceae family is represented in about more than 60% at southeast aspect and 58.26%
lichen dry mass at northwest aspect of the forest. The Parmeliaceae family also represents 26.19%
and 25.54% lichen dry mass at southeast and North West aspect. In both the forests Ramaliniaceae
family is represents as very poor contribution about 2% in open and 3% in closed canopied forest.
In open canopied forest (southeast aspect) and closed canopied forest (northwest forest) the
fruticose lichens provided 46.4% and 26.84% dry mass of lichens, this contribution is grater than
dry mass of foliose lichens as 27.94% and 27.36% dry mass of lichens.
According to Degelius (1978) the lichens began to colonize oak twigs in Europe at about five
years. Stone (1989) reported that branches of Quercus garryna upto twenty year old show growth
of many foliose and fruticose lichens. Similar to the studies it was observed that on mature Quercus
semecarpifolia, Q. floribunda, and Q. leucotrichophora trees in and around the study area
attainment of the climax stage was exhibited by dominance of foliose and fruticose lichens
represented by Ramalina and Usnea species. Dudgeon (1923) mentioned six stages of succession
on epiphytic lichens of Quercus leucotrichophora. The crustose lichen stage, begining with
numerous little patches of crusts as pioneers on the bark of branches that were 3-4 year old, of
which two species frequency wise represent about 75% of the total vegetation. Foliose and
fruticose lichens appear simultaneously but become somewhat conspicuous, 3-4 years old Usnea
barbata (=Usnea complanata: Mull. Arg.Mot.) was a prominent member. This stage under
favorable condition takes about 9-12 years to achieve its full development. The later stage of
67
succession is taken over by mosses, fern and flowering plant. By this time the twig become thick
branches. In the present investigation it was observed that on young tree trunk and twigs of
Quercus semecarpifolia, Q. floribunda, Q. leucotrichophora and Rhododendron arboreum, there is
dominance of crustose lichens while mature tree twigs bear luxuriant growth of foliose and
fruticose lichens. Du Rietz (1945) attempted to correlate certain tree species with dominance of
epiphytic lichens and termed them as Lichen Rich-Bark species and Lichen Poor-Bark species.
Quercus semecarpifolia is Lichen Rich-Bark trees while a Rhododendron arboreum tree is
Lichen Poor-Bark species.
REFERENCES
Boucher V L. and Nash T H III. The role of the fruticose lichen Ramalina menziesii in the annual
turnover of biomass and macronutrients in a Blue Oak woodland. Botany Gazette (1990);
114-118 (151).
Degelius G. Further Studies on the epiphytic vegetation of twigs. Acta. Universitatis
Gothoburgensis Botanic (1978); 1-58 (7).
Dudgeon, W. Succession of epiphytes in the Quercus incana forest at Landour, Western
Himalayas. Journal of Indian Botanical Society (1923); 159-272 (3).
Du Rietz G E. Om fattigbark- och Rikbarksamhallen. Svenks Botanisk Tidsskrift (1945); 147-50
(39).
Esseen P A and Renhorn K E. Mass loss of epiphytic lichen litter in a boreal forest. Ann. Bot.
Fennici (1998); 211-217 (35).
Esseen P A and Renhorn K E and Pettersson R B. Epiphytic lichen biomass in managed and old
growth forests: effect of branch quality. Ecol. Appl. (1996); 228-238 (6)
Gunnar D. Further studies on the epiphytic vegetation of twigs. Acta. Universitatis Gothoburgensis
Botanik (1978); 1-58 (7).
Knops J M H, Nash T H III, Boucher V L Boucher, Schlesinger W H. Mineral cycling and
epiphytic lichens: implications at the ecosystem level. Lichenologist (1991); 309-321 (23).
Knops J M H, Nash T H III, Boucher V L, Schlesinger W H Schlesinger. The influence of
epiphytic lichens on the nutrient cycling of an oak woodland. Ecol. Monogr (1996); 159-
179 (66).
68
Kumar B. Lichen species distribution, cover and fall in a Quercus semecarpifolia (J E Smith) forest
of Garhwal Himalaya. Ph. D. Thesis (2008).
Mc Cune B M, Geiser L. Macrolichens of Pacific Northwest. Oregon State University Press
Corvallis (1997); U S A.
Pike L H. The importance of epiphytic lichens in mineral cycling. Bryologist (1978); 247-257 981).
Stone D F. Epiphyte Succession on Quercus garryana Branches in the Willamette Valley of
Western Oregon. The Bryologist (1989); 81-94 (1).
69
Chapter-7
SEASONAL PATTERN OF LICHEN FALL FROM TREES IN AN EVERGREEN

QUERCUS SEMECARPIFOLIA FOREST OF GARHWAL HIMALAYA, INDIA
(BALWANT KUMAR*, DILIP K. UPRETI**, S. P. SINGH***, ASHISH TIWARI****)
*Department of Botany, D. S. B. Campus Kumaun University, Nainital (Uttarakhand) 263001.

**National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) - India.
***Advisor, Sri Guru Ram Rai Education Mission, Institute of Technology & Science, Patel Nagar,
Dehradun (India)
****Department of Forestry, D. S. B. Campus Kumaun University, Nainital (Uttarakhand) 263001.
[[
ABSTRACT
The Himalaya is one of the richest sources with respect to the occurrence of lichen on oak species.
These unique symbiotic organisms that contribute to biodiversity and are important as food and
shelter for various wild animals are being lost because of unsystematic harvesting. We purpose that
collection of fallen lichens would reduce lichen diversity loss. In the paper we have documented the
seasonal pattern of lichen and twig fall, and frequency of fall of common genera in closed and open
canopied forests of Quercus semecarpifolia (the brown oak) in a moist temperate forest of Garhwal
Himalaya. The annual fall of marketable material was 6.4 kg/ha/yr in the open canopied forest. The
lichen fall was maximum in the early summer seasons (April-May) at both sites. Lichen collection
from the oak forests (Quercus species) is carried out without any consideration for sustainability.
The branches are chopped and the bark scraped off using sickles and axes.
Key Words: Lichen fall, Quercus semecarpifolia, Garhwal Himalaya.

INTRODUCTION
According to the concept of basic adaptational strategy of plants (Grime 1977), lichens are
stress-tolerant organisms. Such organisms are not expected to survive deficiency in resources
(stress), as well as destruction of biomass (disturbance). In Uttarakhand and much of the other
Himalayan regions people harvest lichens from forests, particularly from oak (Quercus) trees
70
without any consideration for sustainability. The lichen collectors damage trees by chopping
branches for collecting lichens and firewood from trees for cooking food while camping in/around
forest sites. Poverty is so acute in some sections of the society that incomes of Rs.10, 000-35,000
per annum are enough economic incentives for them.
Depletion of lichen populations is a matter of concern from conservation standpoint because

of several reasons; being unique symbiotic organisms they contribute to biodiversity; they are
ecologically important as food, shelter and nesting material for a variety of wild animals and birds
(Mc Cune and Geiser 1997). Among the animals which use lichens as food include the rare species,
Himalayan musk deer, and others such as goats, sheep, pikas, mice and bats. Some birds use
lichens as nesting material (Banfield 1974, Conner 1983). Studies of the Northwest Pacific forests
indicate that lichens are important component of food chain, and they play a significant role in
forest nutrient cycling (Pike 1978; Maser et al. 1985).
In this article we describe the seasonal pattern of lichen fall from trees in a brown oak forest
(Quercus semecarpifolia). No data are available on lichen fall in this part of world. We understand
that collection of fallen lichens would reduce the depletion of lichen diversity and forest
degradation. In order to collect lichens from the ground it is important to know the period of year
when lichen falls are high. Quercus semecarpifolia is possibly; the most widely distributed species
in high altitude areas (above 2400m) of the Himalaya, and is in a serious problem because of poor
regeneration and aging population.
One plot each of 0.22ha. (110m X20m) was identified both within open canopied stand
(located on a sun facing slope, having lower moisture and tree diversity) and closed canopied stand
(slope having more in moisture, more forest cover, and more tree diversity of Kharsu oak) between
2750-2850m altitudes. 30 permanent plots of 1m² were placed within each the plot. The tree density
in the area was estimated by placing 10, 10X10m² random quadrats (Saxena and Singh, 1982).
Canopy cover was estimated using a densiometer.
The fallen lichen taxa from each permanent plot were collected at fortnightly interval
(represented on monthly basis). Fallen twigs on ground, bearing lichens were collected carefully
and were placed in poly bags for further identification. The lichens were scratched of the twigs
71
using a sharp knife. Fresh weight of the collected material (lichens & twigs) taken using an
electronic balance which was oven dried at 60ºc for 48 hours till constant weight. Seasonally
collected fallen lichen and twig samples were weighted separately and packed carefully in hard
card board notes bearing proper information viz. date of collection, name of collector, plot number,
forest site, condition of fallen lichen samples (as lichen found with or without twigs) which have
been presented at the Centre for Ecological Studies, A.T. India, Ukhimath (Uttarakhand) India.
Fortnightly information on climatic conditions of the area was documented through

interaction with local persons who live there for approximately seven or eight months every year
from May to December. On and around collection dates records were made about the visit of troop
of langurs (Prestbytis entellus), events of heavy snowfall, heavy rainfall, strong wind blowing,
hails, human activities (such as harvesting of fodder, lopping of branches for fuel wood, timber and
agriculture implements).
RESULTS
The tree density varied between 406 trees/ha at open canopied forest (OCF) and 712
trees/ha at closed canopied forest (CCF) and the forest cover between 42% and 58% (Table 1). The
annual lichen fall from trees was 110.5 (±23) mg dry mass (DM)/m² and 158.5 (±28.6) mg DM/m²
in OCF and CCF. CCF also had more twig fall than OCF 484.5(±136.5) mg vs. 378 (±129) mg
DM/m² (Table 2 and 3).
Among the lichens Everniastrum was the largest major contributor to the mass of fallen
lichen both in open and closed canopied sites. Usnea and Parmotrema are other regularly falling
lichen species of the area. A total of ten fallen lichen taxa were recorded in the open canopied site
of the study area, but in case of closed site it was nine. Sulcaria species of fallen lichens was not
found in closed canopied site of the forest. Parmelia, Leptogium and Sticta rarely fall in the CCF,
and in case of OCF fall of Sticta and Sulcaria species are rare, the frequency of these fallen lichens
was below 1%.
The lichen fall peaked in April, and this month accounted for about 30% annual lichen fall.
This was followed by May and July. Collecting lichens from ground in April and May is quit
convenient because herbaceous cover was at the lowest point almost negligible.
72
Table 1: Representation of density and forest cover in OCF and CCF

Forest site Forest strata Species Density (plants ha⎯¹) Forest cover (%)
OCF Tree Quercus semecarpifolia 280 42
Rhododendron arboreum 100
Acer sp 26
Total 406
CCF Tree Quercus semecarpifolia 293 58
Rhododendron arboreum 380
Abies pindrow 13
Taxus baccata 13
Acer sp 13
Total 712
Table 2: Seasonal pattern of lichen fall and twigs dry mass estimation in open canopied forest
(OCF)
Dry mass of fallen material (mg/m²)

Year 2006-2007 Lichens Twigs No. of fallen lichen genera
May 14.5 (±2.0) 36.5 (±11.0) 8
June 10 (±1.5) 20 (±5.0) 7
July 14 (±4.0) 43.5 (±19.0) 6
August 6.5 (±1.5) 43 (±16.0) 6
September 13 (±4.0) 64 (±25.0) 6
October 5.5 (±2.0) 25 (±11.0) 9
November 6 (±1.0) 26 (±12.0) 7
December 4 (±1.0) 10 (±4.5) 8
January 4.5 (±1.0) 11 (±4.5) 8
73
February * * *
March * * *
April 32.5 (±5.0) 99(±23.0) 9
Total 110.5 (±23.0) 378 (±129.0)
Table 3: Seasonal pattern of lichen fall and twigs dry mass estimation in closed canopied
forest (CCF)
Dry mass of fallen material (mg/m²)

Year 2006-2007 Lichens Twigs No. of fallen lichen genera
May 32.5 (±7.5) 77 (±30.0) 9
June 7.5 (±1.0) 24.5 (±6.5) 6
July 21.5 (±5.5) 54 (±17.0) 6
August 10.5 (±2.0) 38.5 (±12.0) 6
September 10.5 (±2.5) 38.5 (±14.0) 6
October 1.5 (±o.1) 16.5 (±9.0) 4
November 6.5 (±2.0) 20.5 (±7.5) 6
December 4.5 (±1.0) 15 (±5.0) 5
January 8.5 (±1.5) 22.5 (±4.0) 7
February * * *
March * * *
April 55 (±5.5) 177.5 (±33.0) 7
Total 158.5 (±29.0) 484.5 (±137.0)
*The lichen fall could not be counted during February and March because of the inaccessibility of
sites due to heavy accumulation of snowfall.
74
Table 4: Frequency list of commonly fallen lichen genera in descending order in the study
area
S. No. Fallen lichen genera
OCF CCF
1. Everniastrum Everniastrum
2. Parmotrema Usnea
3. Usnea Parmotrema
4. Cetrariopsis Heterodermia
5. Heterodermia Ramalina
6. Ramalina Cetrariopsis
7. Leptogium Leptogium
8. Parmelia Parmelia
9. Sulcaria Sticta
10. Sticta Sulcaria
DISCUSSION
Seasonal pattern of lichen fall
The higher tree density and canopy cover contributed to larger total lichen fall mass in the
CCF. The twig fall consisted of both twigs with attached lichens and twigs without lichens. The
similarity in lichen fall patterns between the two study sites indicates that lichen fall has a definite
seasonal pattern, the knowledge of which can help collectors to decide on strategy to collect them.
Storms and movement of monkeys seem to hasten twig fall, as following such events lichens could
be seen all over the place. Seasonal pattern of twig fall was similar to that of lichen fall, indicating
that lichen growth would hasten twig fall. The lichen cover might hasten twig senescence, or
lichens grow well on senescing twigs. The abscission of wood is promoted by higher temperatures
in the annual cycle (summer and rainy seasons) although abscission continues, though irregularly,
through out the year as a mechanism of canopy clearing by self-pruning (Singh and Singh, 1992).
According to the concept of Stone (1989) allogenic factors caused by outward growth of oak
canopy, including changes in microclimate and thickening and sloughing of bark, appear to be far
more important to most species than changes brought on by the epiphytic species.
On the basis of hypothesis of Larson (1984), Lawrey (1981), and Topham (1977) epiphytes
could be competing for light, branch surface space, and water. Fruticose lichens (Usnea spp) and
75
foliose lichens (Everniastrum spp) were found dominant on twigs, competition in Usnea species
appeared to be mainly intrageneric and therefore Usnea species should not be affected by clearing
other species from around them. The primary succession on oak branches is mostly influenced by
the allogenic factors of microclimate change brought by outward canopy growth. However, within
the framework of allogenic factors, autogenic factors of competition and facilitation are similar to
those, which cause secondary succession (Stone, 1989). Stone (1989) reported that foliose and
fruticose lichens developed fully in 9-12 years. The ten most frequent genera were the same in two
forest sites, but differed in their order of importance (Table 4).
Doignon (1954) reported that lichens begin to colonize oak twigs in Europe at about five years
of tree age. Foliose lichens began to colonize on oak at Fontainebleau, France at about 15-20years.
Generally, lichens found on leaves of very long durability are not obligate folicolous but also
belong to the corticolous flora, indicating that the obligately folicolous lichens are perhaps
restricted to their habitats because they are relatively poor competitors in other habitats. Slightly
higher moss coverage on the south side of trunks, (Rincon, 1993) suggested that the combination of
abundant moisture and more sunlight may result in greater photosynthetic production which in
bryophytes translates into greater volume and biomass growth.
Some experimental studies of Graham (1971), on corticolous lichen (bark inhabiting), showed
that the lichen thallus is partly responsible for the modification of its own environment, by
increasing its own water holding capacity, it would be possible to grow lichens over a period of
years and determine their increase in size and dry weight. A concept given by Denison (1973), he
studied on air quality monitoring with lichens in Willamette valley (Oregon), there are major
differences in amounts of light and moisture on different sites of a tree trunk. Moisture varies
because rainwater flows down channels in the bark of the trunk, living intervening areas well up in
the tree receive similar amounts of light and moisture whether they are on the north or the south site
of the tree. By examining the lichens on branches we can limit differences caused by variation in
light and moisture.
Light affects growth by affecting the rate of photosynthesis and ultimately the amount of
assimilate available to the fungus. Most lichens are as matter of fact photophils, and any light
reduction would probably come about by gradual closing of the forest canopy over many years.
Hakulinen (1966) reported reduction in lichen growth caused by less light might conceivably be
offset by an increase in moisture in a shaded habitat.
76
The market lichens are sold along with twigs, therefore we need to consider both lichens and
twigs to which they are attached. Thus the annual fall of marketable material is 6.4 kg/ha/yr in the
CCF and 4.9kg/ha/yr in OCF. These lichens are sold at rates of approximately half a dollar/kg in
the local markets (Upreti et al 2005). The price however doubles when these lichens reach the
central market areas. A trained collector can easily collect 6-8kg of lichens with twigs from the
ground (collecting lichens from attached twigs slow down the collection as the entire branches are
cut or the lichens are scraped off along with the bark and portion of sapwood). A collector for the
major part of the year can earn a reasonable income by collecting the fallen lichens without being
destructive with some knowledge of the fall and seasonal pattern.
REFERENCES
Conner, D.A. Life in a rock pile. Natural History (1983) 6:51-57.
Denison, W.C. A guide to Air Quality Monitoring with Lichens. Lichen Technology, Inc. Corvallis
(1973) 6, Oregon.
Doignon, P. Le complex muscino-technique deshauts trones et houppiers dous le massifde fountain
bleu. Reuce Bryologique et Lichenologique (1954) 23: 134-152.
Grime, J.P. Evidence for the existence of three primary strategies in plants and its relevance to
ecological and evolutionary theory. Amer. Natur. (1977) 111:1161-1194.
Graham, P.H The ecology of corticolous lichens III. A simulation model of productivity as a
function of light intensity and water availability. Botany Department, Imperial College
Landon (1971): 19-40.
Hakulinen, R. Uber die Wachstumgeschwindigheit einiger Laubflechten. Ann. Bot. Fenn. (1966) 3:
167-79.
Larson, D.W. Habitat overlap/niche segregation in two umblicaria lichens: a possible mechanism.
Oecologia (1984) 62:118-125.
Lawrey, J.D. Evidence for competitive release in simplified saxicolous lichen communities.
American Journal of Botany (1981) 68: 1066-1073.
Maser, Z., Maser, C. and Trappe, J.M. Food habits of the northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys
sabrinus) in Oregon. Canadian Journal of Zoology (1985) 63: 1085-88.
Mc Cune, B.M. & Geiser, L. Macrolichens of Pacific Northwest. Oregon State
University Press (1997), Corvallis, U.S.A.
77
Pike, L.H. The importance of epiphytic lichens in mineral cycling. The Bryologist (1978) 81(2):
247-57.
Rincon, E. Growth responses of six bryophyte species to different light intensities. Canadian
Journal of Botany (1993) 71:661-665.
Saxena, A. K. & Singh, J. S. A Phytosociological Analysis of woody species in forest communities
of a part of Kumaun Himalaya. Vegetatio (1982) 50: 3-22.
Singh, J.S. & Chaturvedi, O. P. Photosynthetic pigments on plant bearing surfaces in the Himalaya.
Photosynthetica (1982) 16(1): 101-114.
Singh, J.S. & Singh, S.P. Forests of Himalaya; Structure, Funcining and Impact of Man,
Gyanodaya Prakashan, Nainital (1992): 119 pp.
Stone, D.F. Epiphyte Succession on Quercus garryana Branches in the Willamette Valley of
Western Oregon. The Bryologist (1989) 92(1): 81-94.
Topham, P.B. Colonization, growth, succession and competitionIn. M.R.D. Seaward (ed.) Lichen
Ecology (1977), Landon: 31-68.
Upreti, D. K, P. K. Divakar, and S. Nayaka. Commercial and ethnic use of lichens in India.
Economic Botany (2005) 59(3):269 – 273.
78
Chapter-8
AN ACCOUNT OF LICHENS ON FALLEN TWIGS OF THREE

QUERCUS SPECIES IN CHOPTA FOREST OF GARHWAL
HIMALAYAS, INDIA
BALWANT KUMAR* AND DALIP K. UPRETI**
*Center for Ecological Studies, Appropriate Technology India, Ukhimath (Garhwal)

Uttarakhand, India
**National Botanical Research Institute, Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh, India
ABSTRACT
The association of epiphytic lichens on the fallen twig of three common Quercus species
viz. Quercus semecarpifolia, Q. floribunda and Quercus leucotrichophora from the moist
temperate forest of Chopta region, Rudraprayag district of Garhwal Himalayas has been discussed.
Q. semecarpifolia exhibits the maximum growth of lichens on its twigs represented by 29 species
followed by Q. floribunda and Q. leucotrichophora with 16 and 12 species respectively. The twigs
of diameter classes more than 4.1 cm in Q. semecarpifolia and Q. floribunda bears the maximum
individuals of lichens represented by 148 and 71, while Q. leucotrichophora the twigs 3.1-4.0
diameter class exhibit maximum 82 individuals. All the three oak species exhibit luxuriant growth
of Parmelioid lichens on their twigs.
Key words Lichens, fallen twigs, Quercus spp., Chopta, Uttarakhand.

Introduction
Lichens in India are collected from the temperature regions of Himalayas and used
indigenously for preparation of perfumes, dyes, and condiments. Approximately 750 metric tones
(MT) of lichens are collected from Uttarakhand hills, 800 MT are imported from other regions of
India, including Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam and out of which about 50-80 MT are
exported (Shah, 1997). In Nepal and adjoining areas of India, 320 MT of lichens are utilized
annually for different purposes (Moxham, 1986). The lichens are picked up by hand from the
79
lower branches, trunk and fallen twigs of trees or sometimes scrapers are also used. Upreti et al.
(2005) listed 38 species of lichens belonging to 23 genera from the commercial samples of lichens
collected from seven states of India.
The lichens grow at a rate ranging from 1.0mm or less per year in case of crustose forms up
to a few centimeters a year for most rapidly growing leafy (foliose) or shrubby (fruticose or
pendant) lichens. The larger lichens in the last two categories grow on an average about 5.0mm per
year in length or rapidly are more conspicuous and exploited for collection. In the recent year there
has been a great concern about the loss of lichen diversity in India (Upreti, 1996) and there is a
need to know the patterns and processes that regulate species occurrence and behavior in natural
forests. An account of the lichens associated with fallen twigs will provide an idea about the lichen
species which play important role in the formation of lichen material utilized for their commercial
use.
Quercus trees in temperate Himalayas form major vegetation and are the excellent host for
colonization of a large number of lichen taxa together with epiphytic ferns and orchids. Out of the
five species of Quercus, Q. semecarpifolia bears the maximum member of lichens species on its
trunk, branches and twigs (Upreti and Chatterjee, 1999).
This paper is based on sampling designed to provide estimates of twig lichen of three
Quercus species in temperate Himalayas, and to determine the contribution of twigs of Oak tree
which are colonized by lichen and collected for commercial exploitation. The estimated lichen
species individuals on more than 100 sampled twigs of three common Quercus species of different
diameter classes have been provided in table 1, 2, and 3. The diameter classes of the sampled twigs
have been categorized on the basis of availability of fallen twigs.
Materials and Methods
Study Area: Chopta is situated 35 km from Ukhimath block in Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand,
in Akashkamini valley between 1,500 m -3,500 m at 790-790 30’E and 300 30’ – 300 42’ N. The
mountain landscape has steep to moderate slopes, spreads over an area of 500 Km2. The Maximum
monthly temperature varies from 190 C to 370 C from the higher altitude grasslands to the lower
elevation, during May to October, while the minimum temperate drops as low as – 150C in the
alpine grasslands during December to February.
80
More than 100 twig samples of each species of Oak were randomly collected from three
altitudinal gradient during months of October-November 2006. The altitude between 1500-2000m
exhibit growth of Quercus leucotrichophora (White Oak), followed by 2000-2500m of Q.
floribunda (Green Oak) and above 2,500m of Quercus semecarpifolia (Brown Oak) respectively.
The collected twigs were categorized in five diameter size classes of 0-1cm, 1.1-2.0cm, 2.1-3.0cm,
3.1-4.0cm and more than 4.1cm.
The diameters of 20 twig samples of each class were measured. Individuals of macrolichen
species growing on each twig were counted.
Results and Discussion

All the three oak trees exhibit luxuriant growth of Parmelioid lichens and members of lichen
family Physciaceae together with fruticose lichen of genera Ramalina and Usnea (Table 1-3).
a) Lichens associated with twigs of Q. leucotrichophora (altitude between 1,500-2,000 m):

The twigs of Q. leucotrichophora bear only 12 species of lichens (Table 1). The twigs of
diameter 3.1-4.0cm and more than 4.1cm bear 82 and 27 individuals of lichens.
Parmotrema wallichiana exhibits occurrence on twigs of all five diameter classes twigs but
the diameter class 3.1-4.0 cm bears the maximum individuals P. wallichiana followed by
twig classes 0-1.0 cm, 1.1-2.0cm, 2.1-3.0 and more than 4.1cm. Parmelioid lichens
dominate the Q. leucotrichophora twigs than Usneoid lichens.
b) Lichens associated with twigs of Q. floribunda (altitude between 2,000 m-2,500 m): The
twigs of Q. floribunda bear 16 species of lichens (Table 2). The twigs of diameter more than
4.1cm exhibit occurrence 71 individuals. E. nepalense, dominates on all the five diameter
class of twigs. But the diameter class 3.1-4.0cm and 1.1-2.0 cm bear similar number of
individuals. The fruticose lichens exhibit higher association with Q. floribunda twigs than
the foliose form.
c) Lichens associated with twigs of Q. semecarpifolia (altitude above 2,500 m): Q.
semecarpifolia twigs bear 29 species of lichens (Table 3). The twigs of diameter class more
than 4.1cm bear 148 individuals of lichens. E. nepalense exhibits its occurrence all the five
diameter classes of twigs. The twig class 3.1-4.0cm bears the maximum individuals
followed by twigs of 2.1-3.0cm and 1.1-2.0cm. The diameter class of 0-1.0cm towards the
81
tip of the twigs shows less number of individuals. There is a great decrease in lichen
abundance with decreasing twig diameter.
The Parmelioid genera Everniastrum cirrhatum, E. nepalense and parmotrema nilgherrense
with 18, 9 and 10 individuals respectively, dominate the twigs towards the tips while individual of
other lichen exhibit their poor presence there.
The luxuriance of lichen growth on Quercus twigs may possibly be attributed to the
retention of moisture because of their hanging position. The flow of rain water and that of the
melting snow along the hanging twigs perhaps provide greater exposure to moisture. However,
according to Pike et al. (1975), twigs being at the edge of the trees canopy receive higher levels of
light than most of the remaining surfaces of the tree. Rainfall strikes foliage and twigs directly and
these receive additional water which drips from higher branch system. Because of the exposure,
and the low water holding capacity of the bark, twigs dry out quickly after rainfall. Twigs can
however hold a considerable load of snow during and after wet snow fall.
Wolseley and Pryor (1999) studied the lichen communities on twigs of Quercus petrarea in
Welsh woodland site and concluded that there is a correlation between environmental condition and
lichen communities of twigs. Roughness, bark pH and chemistry of twigs, amount of moisture as
rain tracks or humidity, degree of illumination, aspect and illumination of the surface, acidification
of the atmosphere are the specific characteristics of the substratum influence the growth of lichens
on twigs. The environmental conditions were more or less similar in all the stands of the study area
except the aspects of the illumination at few sites. Both Parmelioid and fruticose lichens were
evident on the twigs than elsewhere. The crustose lichens were abundant on apical areas of the
young twigs and covered a substantial area. According to Essen et al (1996), the fruticose
pendulous species (Alectoria and Bryoria) are highly sensitive to forest practices and are strongly
related to age of branches while type of forest has no significant effect on foliose lichens. Similarly
all the three Oaks in the study area share growth of common foliose and fruticose lichens.
McCune (1993) while studying the epiphyte biomass in three Pseudotsuga-Tsuga forest in
western Oregon and Washington, recorded greater epiphyte biomass in old-growth stands than the
younger stands. Similarly in the present study Q. semecarpifolia comprised of mostly the old-
growth forest stands exhibited greater number of individuals. Based on the ecological roles rather
than taxonomy the epiphytic lichens of the Oak trees can be grouped into Parmelioid
82
(Everniastrum, Parmotrema, Cetrariopsis and Sticta), Cyanolichens (Leptogium), Usnioid (Usnea,

Ramalina) and Physcioid (Heterodermia) lichens.
The Physcioid genera having larger thallus (Heterodermia diademata) prefer to grow on the
thicker twigs while members having smaller sized thallus (H. hypocasia, H. incana, H. leucomela)
grow on thin twigs in association with crustose lichens towards the apex. Q. semecarpifolia stands
of diameter class of more than 4.0 cm exhibit only the presence of Cyanolichens.
Most of the Parmelioid genera colonize on all the five diameter classes of twigs and number
of species increases as the thickness of the twigs increases, except E. cirrhatum which grows on
thinner branches also. Some species of Usnioid lichens prefer thin barks towards the distal region
of twigs.
Q. semecarpifolia bears the maximum individuals in different diameter classes followed by

Q. floribunda and Q. leucotrichophora. The probable reason for dominance of lichens on Q.
semecarpifolia may be the higher altitude as mentioned by Pirentoses et al. (1995), the crucial
factor determining the spatial heterogeneity of epiphytes lichens of Fagus sylvatica is the altitude
and not the height on the trunk at which lichen community is established.
Q. floribunda and Q. leucotricophora exhibit the representation of only Parmelioid and

Usnioid lichen communities. Q. leucotrichophora has 3 genera belonging to 3 species of
Parmelioid and 7 species of Usnioid lichens while Q. floribunda has 3 species of Parmelioid and
12 species of Usnioid lichens.
Out of the 38 commercially used lichen species from different states of India, enumerated
by Upreti et al. (2005), 24 species of 15 genera belong to Parmelioid lichens with maximum
representation of Everniastrum and Parmotrema species followed by Usnioid (8 species of 2
genera) lichens. Lichen genera Everniastrum, Parmotrema, Rimelia, Parmelaria, Usnea, Lobaria,
and Ramalina are exploited exhaustively for their commercial use. Q. semecarpifolia forests are the
best collection sites for these lichens. Shah (1997) and Upreti et al. (2005) have documented the
need for protection and conservation of lichens in India because of their intensive exploitation, but
conservation has not received the desired attention. The less lichen biomass in India forest as
compared to other European countries further advocate that the trade of endangered lichen species
such as Parmotrema nilgherrense, Everniastrum cirrhatum, and E. nepalense should be banned in
83
Himalayas and these should be included in the CITES (Convention of International Trade in wild
species of Endangered Fauna and Flora) list.
Table 1- Different diameter class twigs of Q. leucotrichophora with individual numbers of

lichen species
S. Lichen Taxa Total number of individuals of

No lichen species on twenty twigs of
. each diameter(cm) class
0-1 1.1-2 2.1-3 3.1-4 >4.1
1 Everniastrum nepalense (Taylor) Hale ex Sipman 2 3 6 12 6
2 Everniastrum cirrhatum (Nyl) Hale 1 2 2 3 0
3 Parmotrema nilgherrense (Nyl) Hale 7 5 9 22 8
4 Parmotrema wallichiana (Taylor) Elix & Hale 6 10 4 30 7
5 Parmotrema mesotropom (Müll. Arg.) Hale 5 5 0 10 0
6 Usnea pectinata Taylor 0 0 0 1 2
7 Usnea Indica Mot 0 0 1 0 0
8 Usnea longissima Ach. 0 0 1 0 0
9 Usnea orientalis Mot. 0 0 0 2 2
10 Usnea aciculifera Vinio 0 0 1 0 0
11 Usnea eumitriodies Mot. 0 0 0 2 1
12 Usnea subfloridana Stirton 0 0 1 0 1
Total individuals of lichens found on twenty twigs of 21 25 25 82 27

each diameter class
Table 2- Different diameter class twigs of Quercus floribunda with individual numbers of
lichen species
S. Lichen Taxa Total number of individuals of

No lichen species on twenty twigs of
84
0-1 1.1-2 2.1-3 3.1-4 >4.1
4 Usnea Indica Mot 0 8 4 1 5
10 Cetrariopsis wallichiana (Taylor) Kurokawa 0 0 1 0 0
11 Ramalina sinensis Jatta 2 2 0 0 3
12 Ramalina conduplicans Vainio 2 2 0 0 3
13 Ramalina Himalayensis Ras. 1 0 2 0 0
14 Ramalina rosleri (Hochst. ex Schaerer) Hue 3 0 2 0 0
15 Rimelia reticulata (Taylor) Hale & Fletcher 1 0 1 0 0
16 Sticta nylanderiana Zahlbr. 0 0 0 0 1

each diameter class
Table 3- Different diameter class twigs of Quercus semecarpifolia with individual numbers of
lichen species
S. Total number of individuals of

85
No Lichen Taxa lichen species on twenty twigs of

0-1 1.1-2 2.1-3 3.1-4 >4.1
3 Parmotrema nilgherrense (Nyl) Hale 10 10 8 3 16
4 Parmotrema wallichiana (Taylor) Elix & Hale 6 2 11 10 20
5 Parmotrema mesotropom (Müll. Arg.) Hale 2 2 0 2 6
7 Usnea sp. 1 0 0 0 0
13 Cetrariopsis wallichiana (Taylor) Kurokawa 1 0 3 2 4
14 Ramalina sinensis Jatta 1 0 0 0 0
15 Ramalina conduplicans Vainio 2 1 0 0 0
16 Ramalina Himalayensis Ras. 1 0 0 0 0
17 Ramalina rosleri (Hochst. ex Schaerer) Hue 1 0 0 0 0
18 Rimelia reticulata (Taylor) Hale & Fletcher 3 0 0 0 1
19 Heterodermia isidiophora (Vainio) Awas. 0 1 2 1 8
20 Heterodermia hypocaesia (Yasuda) Awas. 0 1 0 0 0
21 Heterodermia diademata (Taylor) D. Awasthi 1 0 0 0 8
22 Heterodermia incana (Stirton) D. Awasthi 0 0 2 0 0
23 Heterodermia leucomela (L) Poetl 0 0 1 0 0
86
24 Heterodermia psuedodpeciosa (Kurokawa) Culb. 1 0 1 0 0
25 Leptogium pedicelatum M.P. Jorg. 0 0 1 0 0
26 Leptogium trichophorum Müll, Arg. 0 0 1 0 1
27 Leptogium askotense D. Awasthi 0 0 0 0 2
28 Leptogium papillosum (B. de Lesd.) Dodge 0 0 0 0 1
29 Sticta nylanderiana Zahlbr. 0 0 0 0 3

each diameter class
References
Essen, P.A. Renhorn, K. E. ad Petterson, R. B. 1996. Epiphytic lichen biomass in managed and old
growth boreal forest: Effect of branch quality. Ecological Applications, 6 (1): 228-238.
Pike, L. H., William, C., Denison, C., Tracy, O.M., Sherwood, M.A. and Rhoades, F. R. 1975.
Floristic survey of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes growing on old-growth conifers an Western
Oregon. Bryologist, 78 (4):389-402.
McCune, B. 1993. Gradients in Epiphyte biomass in three Pseudotsuga – Tsuga forests of different
ages in western Oregon and Washington. Bryologist, 96 (3): 405-411.
Moxham, T.H. 1986. The commercial exploitation of lichens for the perfume industry. Pages 491-
503 in E.J. Brunke, ed., Progress in essential oil research. Walter de Gruyter, Berlin.
Pirentoses, S.A., Diamantopoulos, J. and Stamou, G.P. 1995. Analysis of the distribution of
epiphytic lichens within homogenous Fagus sylvatica stands along an altitudinal gradient (Mount
Olympos, Greece). Plant Ecology, 16 (1): 33-40.
Shah, N.C. 1997. Lichens of economic importance from the hills of Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal
of Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants, 5: 69-76.
Upreti, D.K. 1996. Loss of diversity in Indian Lichen flora. Environmental Conservation, 22 (4):
361-363.
87
Upreti, D.K., Divakar, P.K. and Nayaka, S. 2005. Commercial and ethnic use of lichens in India.
Economic Botany, 59 (3) 269-273.
Upreti, D.K., and Chatterjee, S. 1999. Epiphytic lichens on Quercus and Pinus tree in three forest
stands in Pithoragarh district, Kumaon Himalayas, India. Tropical Ecology, 40 (1) : 41-49.
Wolseley, P.A. and Pryor, K.V. 1999. The lichens of epiphytic twig communities on Quercus
petrarea in a Welsh Woodland site (Tycanal) for evaluating environmental changes. Lichenologist,
31 (1): 41-61.
Chapter-9
88
Quantitative analysis of fallen lichen vegetation in eleven forest sites

of a Quercus semecarpifolia forest of Garhwal Himalaya, India
ABSTRACT: The present study was carried out on eleven forest sites dominated by Quercus
semecarpifolia forest to assess fallen lichen (fall from trees) diversity between 2500m to 3500m
elevation in Garhwal Himalaya. A total of ten fallen lichens were recorded from the study area.
Keywords: Fallen lichens, study sites, distribution pattern, Garhwal Himalaya

Introduction
The Himalayan Mountain (27´38 º N latitude and 72´98 º E longitude) is the youngest, largest,
highest and most complex mountain system in the world covering east to west (Gupta, 1963). On the
basis of altitudinal variation the Himalayan ranges are divided into sub-tropical, temperate and alpine
zone representing a variety of forest types.
Garhwal Himalaya is extremely rich in lichen diversity, it is about 69% of the Uttarakhand and
35% of the Himalayas and more than 16% of Indian lichen diversity (Kumar, 2008), and its climate
factors, temperature variations, rainfall pattern, soil support, strong fauna and flora. Kumar (2008)
reported 106 species of lichens from the area and also reported ten regularly fallen lichen species.
Studies of the Northwest Pacific forests indicate that lichens are important component of food chain,
and they play a significant role in forest nutrient cycling (Pike 1978; Maser et al. 1985).
In this article author describe the diversity of fallen lichen genera and their distribution pattern in
different forest sites of a brown oak (Quercus semecarpifolia) forest.

Study area Chopta was located at altitude between 2500-3500m elevations of Garhwal Himalayas
India. Altitudinally Chopta is located in temperate zone. For the detailed study of fallen lichen (fall
from trees) diversity, the area was divided into eleven different sites. All the sites broadly have similar
major tree species. Quercus semecarpifolia and Rhododendron arboretum trees was the major tree
species present in all the eleven investigated sites. In all the sites the forest cover were recorded
between 32-58% (Kumar, 2008).
89
The phytosociological analysis of the fallen lichen vegetation was done by sampling of 40, 2M²
ground quadrats on each site. All the individuals of fallen lichen genera were recorded carefully in
each sampled quadrat. The collected lichen samples were identified in the Lichen Laboratory, IBRI
Lucknow. The data on fallen lichen vegetation were quantitatively analyzed for abundance, density,
and frequency and A/F ratio by the following formulas given by Curtis and Mc Intosh (1950).
Total number of individuals
Abundance =
Number of quadrat occurrence
Total number of individuals
Density =
Total number of quadrats studied
Number of quadrats occurrence X 100
Frequency (%) =
Total number of quadrats studied
Distribution of population: The ratio of abundance to frequency is a relative measure to present

the distribution of fallen lichen vegetation in a community. Curtis and Cottam (1956) suggested the
following for regular (less than 0.025), contagious (0.025-.05) and random (more than 0.05)
distribution of the population.
RESULTS
Quantitative analysis of fallen lichen vegetation at different study sites are given in Table 1. A
total of 10 fallen lichen genera were recorded from the study area. The density of fallen lichen
genera was recorded to be maximum 13175 individuals of Everniasteru ha¹ at site 1st and 3rd and
the minimum density 125 individuals of Everniastrum ha¹ was recorded at site 9th. Among the
lichen vegetation maximum density was recorded for 26900 individuals of lichen ha¹ was recorded
for site 1st, and the minimum density also recorded 6350 individuals of lichen ha¹ at site 6th (Table
90
1). Everniastrum was the most dominantly fallen lichen in all the eleven investigated sites followed
by species of Usnea. The other common fallen lichen genera of the study area were Parmotrema
spp, Cetrariopsis spp, Heterodermia spp, Ramalina spp, Leptogium spp, Parmelia spp, Lobaria spp
and Cladonia spp.
There was 6.06% fallen lichens displayed regular distribution pattern in the study area as
maximum lichens genera (56.06%) displayed their random distribution pattern at different sites and
37.87% genera of fallen lichens contagious distribution pattern at different sites of the study area.
Table 1: Vegetational parameters for fallen lichens at different forest sites
Forest Fallen lichen

sites taxa Frequency (%) Density (Ind ha⎯¹) Abundance (Ind ha⎯¹) A/F
1 Usnea 85 575 2.7 0.031
Everniastrum 92.5 13175 5.7 0.061
Parmotrema 62.5 5675 3.64 0.058
Cetrariopsis 42.5 1375 1.29 0.03
Heterodermia 32.5 925 1.15 0.035
2 Usnea 42.5 3300 3.11 0.073
Everniastrum 67.5 6500 3.85 0.057
Parmotrema 57.5 2875 2 0.034
Heterodermia 17.5 675 1.57 0.089
Cetrariopsis 15 425 1.16 0.077
3 Usnea 55 4300 3.13 0.056
Everniastrum 87.5 13175 6.02 0.068
Parmotrema 72.5 5000 2.28 0.031
Heterodermia 0.35 1175 1.35 3.857
Cetrariopsis 0.35 1050 1.21 3.457
4 Usnea 70 4000 2.28 0.032
91
Everniastrum 90 8300 3.69 0.041
Parmotrema 47.5 2050 1.73 0.036
Cetrariopsis 37.5 1175 1.26 0.033
Heterodermia 27.5 750 1.09 0.039
Ramalina 25 675 1.1 0.044
5 Usnea 40 1425 1.43 0.035
Everniastrum 72.5 6125 3.37 0.046
Parmotrema 67.5 3125 1.85 0.027
Ramalina 17.5 425 1 0.057
Heterodermia 10 650 1 0.1
Cetrariopsis 12.5 300 1 0.08
Leptogium 12.5 375 1.2 0.096
Parmelia 10 2500 1 0.1
6 Usnea 22.5 1500 2.66 0.118
Everniastrum 32.5 2750 3.38 0.104
Parmotrema 22.5 925 1.66 0.073
Ramalina 12.5 425 1.4 0.112
Cetrariopsis 7.5 375 2 0.266
Heterodermia 12.5 375 1.2 0.096
7 Usnea 50 5925 4.75 0.095
Ramalina 55 1375 1.46 0.026
Parmotrema 32.5 1625 2 0.061
Everniastrum 70 7000 4 0.057
Heterodermia 32.5 1050 1.3 0.04
Cetrariopsis 22.5 1300 2.33 0.103
8 Usnea 50 5625 4.5 0.09
92
Everniastrum 85 11750 5.52 0.064
Parmotrema 35 4050 4.64 0.132
Ramalina 22.5 1175 2.11 0.093
Cetrariopsis 10 500 2 0.2
9 Usnea 42.5 2125 2 0.047
Everniastrum 52.5 5925 4.52 0.086
Parmotrema 40 2000 2 0.05
Heterodermia 10 500 2 0.2
Cetrariopsis 5 125 1 0.2
Ramalina 7.5 250 1.33 0.177
10 Usnea 67.5 3050 1.81 0.026
Everniastrum 82.5 8300 4.03 0.048
Parmotrema 82.5 4500 2.18 0.026
Heterodermia 17.5 625 1.42 0.081
Cetrariopsis 22.5 675 1.22 0.054
Ramalina 22.5 750 1.33 0.059
Lobaria 10 300 1.25 0.125
Leptogium 15 625 1.66 0.11
11 Usnea 47.5 2925 2.47 0.052
Everniastrum 65 5875 3.61 0.055
Parmotrema 70 5425 3.1 0.044
Heterodermia 32.5 1175 1.46 0.044
Cladonia 7.5 250 1.33 0.177
Ramalina 25 750 1.2 0.048
93
DISCUSSION
Lichen fall is a relatively more continuous process in the temperate oak forest of the Garhwal
Himalaya. In the Central Himalayan forests, water stress and extremes of temperature are probably
not the dominant causal factors of wood fall. The abscission of wood is promoted by higher
temperatures in the annual cycle (summer and rainy seasons) although abscission continues, though
irregularly, through out the year as a mechanism of canopy-clearing by self-pruning (Singh and
Singh, 1992). According to the concept of Stone (1989) allogenic factors caused by outward growth
of oak canopy, including changes in microclimate and thickening and sloughing of bark, appear to
be far more important to most species than changes brought on by the epiphytic species. However,
within the framework of the allogenic tree canopy factors, the same sorts of interspecific
interactions take place as more found in autogenic type of succession.
The fallen density depends on the forest cover and tree density, site 5th & 10th represented by 8
fallen lichen genera followed of 6 at site 4th, 6th, 7th, 9th & 11th, and 5 genera at 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 8th.
Lichen genera Parmelia, Leptogium and Stcta of the study area were found rare.
According to Kumar (2008) the lichen fall in a particular area may be affected by a number
of climatic factors and activities of the inhabitants of the area. The common factors responsible for
lichen fall in the study area were type of fauna (jumping of Languor’s from one tree to other), birds,
heavy snow fall, hails, heavy rainfall, human activities and wind condition, direction.
REFERENCES
Curtis, J.T. and Mc Intosh, R.P. The interrelation of certain analytic and synthetic
phytosociological characters. Ecology (1950), 434-455.
Curtis, J.T. and Cottam, G. The use of distance measure in phytosociological sampling. Ecology
(1956), 37:151-160.
Gupta, A.C., 1963. Annual precipitation and the vegrtion of the dry temperate coniferous region of
North-West Himalaya. Jour. Inl. Bot. Soc. (1963), 42 (2).
Kumar, B. Lichen diversity of Baniyakund-Chopta region of region of Garhwal Himalaya, India. A

national seminar on globalwarming (2008), SMJN College Haridwar. p 46.
94
forest of Garhwal Himalaya, Ph. D. Thesis (2008), HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar
(Garhwal), India.
Maser, Z., Maser, C. and Trappe, J.M. Food habits of the northern flying squirrels (Glaucomys
sabrinus) in Oregon. Canadian Journal of Zoology (1985) 63: 1085-88.
Pike, L.H. The importance of epiphytic lichens in mineral cycling. The Bryologist (1978) 81(2):
247-57.
Singh, J.S. and Singh, S.P. Forest of Himalaya: Structure, Functioning and impact of Man.
Gyonodaya Prakashan, Nainital (India) (1992).
Stone, D.F. 1989. Epiphytic succession on Quercus garryana branches in Willamette valley of
western Qregon. Bryologist (1989) 92: 81-94.
95
Chapter-10
[
LICHEN RESOURCE USE PATTERN AND ITS SOCIO-

ECONOMIC STATUS IN TEMPERATE REGION OF GARHWAL
HIMALAYA, INDIA
ABSTRACT: The resource use pattern of some macrolichens and their socioeconomic status in
temperate region of Garhwal Himalayas has been discussed. Out of five blocks, stakeholders of
Narayanbagar and Dewal block are found highly dependent on lichen (macrolichens) based activity
to conduct their livelihood.
Key Words- Macrolichen biomass, Quercus semecarpifolia, Garhwal Himalaya
INTRODUCTION
According to the concept of Upreti et al (2005) the lichens have been household items of
Indians since ancient times. In India, lichens collected from the temperate regions of the Himalayas
are used indigenously and are explored. The Uttarakhand hills and Himanchal Pradesh are the main
areas of the lichen collection in India. The lichens are very slow growing plants. Because of their
unique thallus composition, which is made of fungus and alga, they can not be cultivated in large
scale like other plants. Thus, lichens growing in nature provide a basic raw material required for
various uses of lichens. The lichens weigh very little when dry, thus a vast bulk of these plants is
required.
Mountain and hillside areas hold a rich variety of ecological systems. Because of their vertical
dimension, mountain creates gradient of temperature, precipitation, and insulation. In Uttarakhand
nine of the thirteen districts comprise the expansion of lesser Himalaya. But with the pace of rapid
modernization and increasing anthropogenic pressure on vegetation in general and on forest in
particular coupled with natural disasters, the Himalayan vegetation is rapidly deteriorating in its
richness as well as diversity. However, in recent past there has been a deep concern and realization
for the conservation of the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.
96
Lichen exploitation is a common practice among the villagers and the rivals in moist
temperate regions of the Garhwal Himalaya to collect the lichens together with tree twigs as oak
and other trees bears luxuriant growth of lichens. Kumar (2008) reported Parmelioid lichens
belonging to family Parmeliaceae are commercially trading lichens from Garhwal Himalaya i.e.
Everniastrum, Parmotrema, Cetrariopsis, Bulbothrix, Hypotrachyna and Rimelia collected by
rivals together with two fruticose genera, Ramalina and Usne.
Lichens in India are collected from the temperature regions of Himalayas and used
indigenously for preparation of perfumes, dyes, and condiments (Kumar and Upreti, 2008).
Approximately 750 metric tons of lichens are collected from Uttarakhand hills, 800 metric tons are
imported from other regions of India, including Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam and out of
which about 50-80 tons are exported (Shah, 1997).
Upreti (1995) assessed the different factors responsible for loss of lichen diversity in India.
Important factors include the change in the ecological conditions, forest cover, and loss of habitat
and increase of the urban and industrial areas. The various activities of man in hilly regions of
India such as ‘Jhoom’ cultivation, agriculture, mineral extraction, tourism, hydroelectric and road
building projects are other factors leading to the rapid deterioration of lichen rich habitats.
Overexploitation and selective removal of economically important lichens by local people have
now become the major threat to the lichen flora of India.
Lichens are sold at rates of approximately half a dollar/kg in the local markets (Upreti et al
2005). The price however doubles when these lichens reach the central market areas. A trained
collector can easily collect 6-8kg of lichens with twigs from the ground (collecting lichens from
attached twigs slow down the collection as the entire branches are cut or the lichens are scraped off
along with the bark and portion of sapwood). A collector for the major part of the year can earn a
reasonable income by collecting the fallen lichens without being destructive with some knowledge
of the fall and seasonal pattern.
A number of lichen patches in the forests ‘hot spots’ were identified together with the study viz.
Bramtal, Jhaltal, Suptal, Bhekaltal, Didina forest, Kuling forest, Ghesh-Balan, Badeni forest, and
Gairsain forest patches are in Chamoli district. Similarly Chopta-Tunganath, Khod-Bakseer,
Badhanital, Devariyatal, Madhmaheshwar peak, and Tirjuginarayan forest patches were the major
hot spots in Rudraprayag district. These all identified forest patches are similar in lichen diversity
97
as well as for lichen biomass resource availability. These all forest patches (lichen hot spots) are
purely dominated by the Quercus semecarpifolia (brown oak) trees and some time associated with
Rhododendron arboreum (Burans) trees and associated shrubs Barberis spp and Cotoneaster spp
occurs in these regions.

District Rudraprayag and Chamoli Garhwal of Uttarakhand state are the remotest areas in
terms of lifestyle and also rich in botanical resources like lichen resource. A total of five blocks has
been covered in two districts Rudraprayag and Chamoli. Ukhimath and Jakholi blocks in
Rudraprayag and Dewal, Tharali and Narayanbagar in Chamoli district have been studied. From
each selected block of Chamoli district, selected three village randomly villages on the basis of the
temperate region, availability of lichen resource, lichen exploitation by local collectors and the
areas were open for lichen collection. But the district Rudraprayag was totally band for lichen
collection since ten years; from this district only two blocks (Ukhimath and Jakholi) were selected.
The three selected blocks of district Chamoli were similar in lichen diversity and resource use
pattern, but different in its collection and trading system.
A. Reconnaissance Survey: The reconnaissance survey was conducted for knowing the traditional
method of lichen collection and involvement of lichen stakeholders of different rivals of the area.
The traditional method of lichen collection is locally called ‘Makku Tipan’. The method has been
traditionally followed by lichen collectors of some lichen exploiting areas of Deval and Tharali
block of Chamoli district of Uttrakhand state. In Chamoli district, lichens collected by the villagers
or lichen collectors of Ratgawn, Bursol, Dungari, Man, Kolpuri, Mundoli, Vaan, Kuling and Ghes
villages of the Tharali and Deval block. These areas come under the Badrinath forest division.
These areas falls within the Garhwal Himalaya region and the forests are dominated with Quercus
semecarpifolia (brown oak) and these areas lies between 2000m to 3000m altitudes in west Pinder
range of Tharali Tehsil. Brown oak trees of the area harbors luxuriant growth of epiphytic lichens.
The traditional collectors of the villages are collects these plants and sale in local market at
Tharali, Deval and Narayanbagar. Some small villagers sold it at Kerabagar and Vaan village of the
area.
98
During the field visit author have interviewed with some lichen collectors and local
contractors to asses the information on traditional method of lichen collection, extraction, resource
use pattern and socioeconomic status of lichens (macrolichens) in the area.
B. Questionnaire Design: An ideal questionnaire was prepared after complete search of available
literature on the lichen ecology and its economic role in our vital needs. The questionnaire was
designed with keeping in mind of some tasks related to socio-economic and ecological impacts of
lichens, which are always ignored by various workers.
C. Questionnaire Sampling and Selection of the Respondent: The survey was carried out during
May-June 2007. The questionnaire was used to gather information on resource use pattern and
assessment of earn money from lichen sector at different level of stakeholders. The respondents
from the area were selected randomly on the basis of their involvement in the lichen sector as
traditional collector, store keepers, packers loaders, horse trackers (transpiring lichens from forest
to collection point/store house), local traders etc. were the respondents of the ideal questionnaire.
D. Process Questionnaire Filling: All questionnaires were filled throughout a long discussion
along with the respondent.
E. Data Analysis: The data has been analyzed by using the SPSS software.
RESULTS
Households of Narayanbagar block depends highly on macrolichen based activity to conduct
their livelihood represented by 93.65% followed of 63.32% households of Dewal and 18.38% of
Tharali block of Chamoli district. Households of Rudraprayag district (Ukhimath & Jakholi block)
was found less dependent on lichen sector (Table 1). In both the districts lichen sector found
highest contribution to generate income as compare to other sources (Table 2). In both the districts
lichen transporters and traders get maximum benefit from lichen sector as compared to other
sources like agriculture, labor and shop etc. (Table 3). Earned money of the stakeholders from
lichens sector was mostly used to provide foods like rice, wheat, pulses and vegetables etc. and it
was less used in other daily needs (Table 4). The lichens collected/extracted from different
substratum by the collectors maximum (51.53%) from tree bark followed by 43% and 4% from
ground (fallen lichens) and rock substratum and only 1.37% extracted from soil (Table 5).
99
In the district Chamoli a lichen collector was collected average 254.5 kg lichens per year and
its estimated income was Rupees 7668.08 per year @ 30.13 Rs. /kilogram. Similarly, it was in
district Rudraprayag the average annual lichen collection was 78 kg and its estimated annual
income was only Rupees 2393.82 @ Rupees 30.69/kilogram. Table 5 showed in Chamoli district,
April-May (summer season) provided the maximum lichen material (313.4-267.15
kg/month/collector) followed of lowest (12.8kg/month/collector) in rainy season. In the district
Rudraprayag, winter season (November to February) showed the maximum collection of lichens
and throughout the year it was provided 414 kilogram /collector and provided Rupees 12705.66/
collector/year (Table 6).
Table1. Percentage of households engaged in lichen activity
Number of households engaged

in lichen activity (% of the total
District Block households)
Chamoli Deval 62.32
Tharali 18.38
Narayanbagar 93.65
Rudraprayag Jakholi 3.4375
Ukhimath 14.375
Table 2. Contribution of lichens in income generation of lichen stakeholders
Contribution of lichens in income

generation (%)
Sources of income Chamoli Rudraprayag
Service 1.08 0.90
Agriculture 33.82 31.59
Agriculture labor 1.56 1.30
Other labor 5.93 11.66
Lichen collection 56.31 53.02
Shopkeeping 1.29 1.53
100
Table 3. Shearing benefit from lichen sector at different level of stakeholders
Shearing benefit from lichens

(%)
Different level of Stockholders of
lichens Chamoli Rudraprayag
Collector 29.14 30.96
Tracker 15.36 0.00
Transporter & Traders 46.13 58.59
Storekeeper at village 0.00 0.03
Grader & shorter at village 0.84 2.17
Loader (Nepalis at local market) 8.54 8.16
Packer 0.00 0.09
Table 4. Percentage wise use of earned money (from lichens) in different basic requirements of the
stakeholder
Percentage wise (%) use of earned money from

lichens
Basic requirements of the
stakeholders Chamoli Rudraprayag
Food 44.00 75.29
Medicines 10.93 6.47
House construction 6.86 4.71
Schooling of children’s 1.00 1.18
Agriculture 1.40 0.00
Clothing 18.72 7.06
Assets creation 8.37 5.29
Marriage celebrations 7.21 0.00
Purchasing grams (feed) for

horse 1.51 0.00
101
Table 5. Percentage wise extraction or collection of lichens from different substratum
Lichen extraction or collection

Substratum (%)
From trees 51.53
From rock 4
Fallen lichen
collection 43
From soil 1.37
Table 6. Month wise collection of lichens by collectors in Chamoli and Rudraprayag districts
Collection of lichen material

Months kg/month/collector
Chamoli Rudraprayag
Jan 190.4 97
Feb 78.36 51
March 62.53 34
April 313.4 23
May 267.15 0
June 74.41 8
July 15.82 0
Aug 12.8 5
Sep 33.54 24
Oct 66.96 52
Nov 75.6 74
Dec 42.1 47
Total 1233.07 414
102
Lobaria pulbonaria
Everniastrum nepalense
Usnea longissima
Dermatocarpon vellereum
Ramalina sinensis
Parmotrema nilgherrense Usnea pectinata
Heterodermia leucomela
Fig. Photographs of some potential lichen species of Garhwal Himalaya

103
DISCUSSION
Well resource use pattern of lichens was situated in diatrict Chamoli Garhwal and the
collectors were mostly depends on lichen sector. It was the interesting feature of the study, the
involvement of outsiders like Nepali’s labours are completely restricted in lichen harvesting
activity, which were involved only in few cases as loading of lichens and some time grading and
sorting of the lichen species. But through the economic point of view, the outsiders are interfering
in the income of lichen stockholders at the time of sorting and grading, loading-unloading and
transporting from forest to collection point. The lichen traders (local traders) were the highest
beneficiaries in lichen sector because they were well aware about this sector.
Lichens are house hold items of some local users and used for Garam Masala for providing
flavoring taste through lichens etc. The earned money through lichens about 44% has been used in
food by the stakeholders of district Chamoli, and in past the earned money of about 75.29% was
used in food by the stakeholders of district Rudraprayag, therefore, at presently the activity is
directly effects on food requirements of the stakeholders of district Rudraprayag due to the lichen
harvesting activity was totally banned by the forest department. Some other needs like clothing,
schooling of children’s, medicinal treatments, house constructions, and assets creation of lichen
stakeholders were directly effected by the process of opening and closing rules of forest
department for lichen harvesting from the forests.
Kumar (2008) hypothesis showed only fallen lichen (fall from trees) collection can be
allowed to provide livelihood for some stakeholders of high altitude or temperate regions of
Uttarakhand, it can be possible about five kilograms per hectare per year from a pure Kharsu Oak
forest.
If the grading and sorting process of the lichens would be conducted at villages so it can be
increased the income of the collector (primary collector). The lichen sector in the state Uttarakhand
has required a proper channel of its tender, collection and trading/marketing system from its
collectors to traders (Village to Mandi).
If the lichen based livelihood activity would be started so the migration of some peoples of the
area to the plains can be reduced, because they can get the job opportunity in lichens sector.
104
REFERENCES
Kumar, B. and Upreti, D. K. An account of lichens on fallen twigs of three Quercus species in
Chopta forest of Garhwal Himalayas, India. Annals of Forestry (2008), 15 (1):92-98.
forest of Garhwal Himalaya. Ph. D. Thesis (2008) HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar
(Garhwal), India.
Shah, N.C. Lichens of economic importance from the hills of Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of
Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants (1997), 5: 69-76.
Upreti, D. K. Loss of Biodiversity in Indian Lichen Flora. Environmental Conservation (1995) 22:
362-365.
Upreti, D. K., P. K. Divakar, and Nayaka, S. Commercial and ethnic use of lichens in 167-India.
Economic Botany (2005) 59(3):269 – 273.
Chapter-11
105
LICHEN-MOSS HARVESTING PRACTICES AND THEIR

MARKETING STRATIGY IN UTTARAKHAND, INDIA
ABSTRACT: The present article is based on the concept of socioeconomic status of lichens
(Kumar, 2009) and a compiled report of Appropriate Technology India, Ukhimath (Garhwal). Out
of three auction sites of the State Ramnagar auction/ mandi (market) is the biggest market of lichen
& moss followed by Tanakpur and Rishikesh. Traders of the mandi level are getting maximum
profit from lichen & moss sector.
Key Words: Lichen, Marketing, Uttarakhand State.
INTRODUCTION
Lichens are the unique group of plants that consists of two unrelated organism, a fungus and
an alga, growing together in a close symbiotic association. The study of lichen remains quite
neglected throughout the world, through they together with mosses from dominant organism in
ecosystem covering 10% of the earth terrestrial habitats, particularly higher elevations (Nash &
Egan, 1988). Kumar & Upreti (2008) and Kumar (2009) lichen exploitation is a common practice
among the villagers and the rivals in moist temperate regions of the Western Himalaya to collect
the lichens together with tree twigs as oak and other trees bears luxuriant growth of lichens. Upreti
et al (2005) mentioned the members of the families Parmeliaceae and Physciaceae are the ones
most exploited commercially and are recommended by inclusion in the CITES list. However,
Kumar (2008) reported Parmelioid lichens are commercially trading lichens from Garhwal
Himalaya i.e. Everniastrum, Parmotrema, Cetrariopsis, Bulbothrix, Hypotrachyna and Rimelia
collected by rivals together with two fruticose genera, Ramalina and Usne. Within Uttarakhand
State of India where the present study was carried out 75 species of Parmelioid lichens reported, of
which 27% each are known in Mussooorie hills and Saryu river valley near Pindari Glacier area,
17.5% are in Chaubatia-Ranikhet followed by 12.1% and 10.8% in Nain Singh top en route to
Milam Glacier and Chopta-Tunganath peak (Divakar & Upreti, 2005).
106
Approximately 750 metric tons of lichens are collected from Uttarakhand hills, 800 metric
tons are imported from other regions of India, including Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Assam and
out of which about 50-80 tons are exported (Shah, 1997).
Total three bigger markets of lichen-moss of the State viz. Ramnagar, Tanakpur and Rishikesh
were visited during 2005. Accept Rishikesh, other two markets are approximately similar in trade
and turnover system of lichen and moss. In subsistence and rural economies, the role of
contribution of lichen-moss is as crucial as source of food, fodder and nesting material etc. it helps
to generate additional employment and income. Since lichens and mosses grow in the hilly areas, it
is important source of livelihood for the people living in the area. Local people extract lichen-moss
and sell it to the middlemen (local contractors) as they do not have the resources to reach the
market or the auction sites, where they can fetch remunerative prices for their produce. Lichens are
sold at rates of approximately half a dollar/kg (Upreti et al 2005, Kumar, 2009) and mosses are 0.11
dollar/kg in the local markets. The price however becomes triple for lichens and double for mosses
when these materials reach in the auction sites. A trained collector can easily collect 6-8 kg of
lichens with twigs (Kumar, 2009).
Description of the government and semi government corporation involved in the marketing of
lichen and moss in the State:
Zila Bhesajh Sangh Sahkari Samiti (ZBSSS): It is a registered public institution central society
under corporative samiti Act 1965. ZBSSS is in operation since 1983 in almost all the district of the
Uttarakhand state. President who is the head of the samiti is selected in every five years. There are
many societies formed in the villages by ZBSSS. The directors among themselves elect the
president. Secretary of the ZBSSS is supposed to be the government employee. The main
objectives of the ZBSSS are to provide training on extraction of medicinal plants in the hilly area
through scientific method, employment to the cooperative society members, and establishment of
ZBSSS based small enterprises, improve the economic condition of the farmers by providing
training on cultivation of those plant species which are becoming extinct. ZBSSS is also helps in
preventing the exploitation of local village collectors from different middlemen and contractors and
making them available remunerative price for their produce. The percentage of profit of the ZBSSS
earned through commission is sheared among its members. About 10% of the profit is sheared.
Van Vikas Nigam (VVN): VVN is semi Government Corporation with divisional sales manager
(DSM) directly from corporation, regional manger equivalent to conservator of forest from forest
107
department. Previously the forest department (FD) used to directly give tenders to the contractors
for the extraction of timber as well as other forest produces, as a result of which was massive
exploitation of forest produce by local contractors. In order to regulate the trade of minor forest
produce, FD involved VVN. Initially this Nigam was established with their prime objective of
storage, production and trade of timber. Since 2004 VVN diversified its activity and earned into the
field of ecotourism and medicinal plants also from the time was declared as an herbal state, the
government asked the FD to take active role in the production, sustainable harvesting, conservation
and marketing of forest produce. The FD with the help of VVN has also started commercial
activities regarding medicinal and aromatic plants. Apart from these two agencies, Kumaun Mandal
Vikas Nigam (KMVN) and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) are performing the similar
role as of ZBSSS.

Study area: Uttarakhand, the 27th State of the Republic of India, was formed on 9th Nov. 2000 and,
carved in out of the hilly tracts of Uttara Pradesh. It lies between 28º53’24” East and 31º27’50”
North latitude and between 77º34’27” and 81º02’22” longitude. It has international boundaries with
Tibet in the North and Nepal in the East. Himanchal Pradesh and Hariyana lie to its west and Uttar
Pradesh to its south. The state with predominance of mountains and hills is spread over 13 districts
with an area of 51,082 sq. kms or about 5.5% of such terrain of India (NRIF, 2004). It has a forest
cover of 64.80%. The major forest types found in the state are sub-tropical, temperate and alpine
forests. The total agriculture land in the state is 14% of its geographical area. Vast topographical,
climate and seasonal variation makes the state rich in floral as well as faunal diversity.
Climate changes from subtropical in the southern foothill with average temperatures of about
30ºC and winter temperature of about 18ºC. Warm temperate conditions in the middle Himalayan
valleys, with average summer temperature of 25ºC and cool winters. A cold alpine climate is
observed at higher elevation where summers are cool and winters are severe. At elevation about
4880m the climate is very cold with freezing temperatures and the area is permanently snow
covered. There are rains in July-September due to south west monsoon and occasional snow fall in
winter months (November-February), due to western disturbances at higher elevations.
108
A survey was conducted in different district of Uttarakhand during year 2005. Market
surveys were conducted to identify the marketing channels, price spread, and prospective markets
in the important places. A detailed study of lichen & moss conducted by rural population of
necessary for establishing the trade and ensuring proper margin to the collectors. The major auction
markets (called mandis) and traders in these areas were interviewed in order to know the quantum
of trade of lichen & moss in Uttarakhand.
Sampling frame: Information was collected from collectors, contractors (middlemen), small and big
traders, commission agents from three trading centers (Ramnagar, Tanakpur and Rishikesh).
Method of sampling:
Criteria for selection of forest division: Badrinath and Kedarnath forest divisions were selected for
the study in Garhwal region where the lichen & moss takes place in large scale. In BFD blocks
selected for the study were Narayanbagar, Tharali and Dewal. These three blocks were studied as
the primary collectors from the adjoining villages sell their produce to the local contractors from
this division. The major villages of BFD involved in the extraction of lichens are Vaan, Dungari,
Man, Kolpuri, Kuling Ghes-Balan, Himni, Mundoli, Ratgawn, Bursol etc.
Selection of auction sites: Before October, 2004 there was no regulation in the trade of lichen &
moss. Entire trade was done privately without involvement of any Government agencies. Only the
local contractors had to be approach the ZBSSS, from there they used to get approval for the forest
department for “Ravanna” and then they could sell there produce anywhere in India in the open
market. But after October, 2004 in order to provide remunerative price to the primary collectors,
Govt. took steps involving semi government corporation, VVN in this trade. In Uttarakhand, three
auction sites are involved in the auctioning of lichen and moss viz. Ramnagar, Tankpur and
Rishikesh. These auction sites were studied in order to estimate the quantum of lichen and moss
from Uttarakhand.
Selection of contractors at block level: about four contractors from Tharali, five from Narayanbagar
and two from Dewal block of district Chamoli Garhwal were interviewed in order to estimate the
quantum of lichen & moss collected and priced received by the primary collectors for their
produce.
109
Technique for data collection: Both primary and secondary data was collected for the study.
Secondary data was collected in order to obtain the information and gets the idea regarding the
availability of lichen & moss quantity trade from each of the auction sites, information sources for
getting the relevant information regarding the study were as follows: Forest department (KFD &
BFD), VVN, Bhesajh Sangh etc. Similarly, the primary data was collected from the local
contractors, traders and commission agents. These techniques involved in the collection of data
were personal interviewed and discussion through semi-structure interview. To explore the exiting
value addition process, interviews with the people at each level were conducted at primary
collectors level, traders level and on site visit.
RESULTS
The lichen and moss collection season is of six months in a year and one trader collects the
produce from about 15-20 primary collectors. Table 1 shows on an average quantity of lichen is
about 301 qtl per trader per season and the total quantity of lichen loaded from three blocks comes
out to be 4515 qtl per season. Tharali block has found maximum contribution about 1750 qtl
followed by Narayanbagar 1715 qtl and Dewal 1050 qtl lichen per season.
Seasonal availability of lichen-moss (L & M): The extraction of L & M takes place mainly from
October to March. After 31st of March extraction of produce is completely banned as fire season
commence. From July to September the produce can not be extracted because of monsoon season.
The availability of lichen depends on monsoon as it is supposed to be the most effective season for
its growth.
Market information at primary collector level: Primary collectors of BFD extract the lichen and
moss from the allotted range and sell them to the contractors at Tharali, Narayanbagar and Dewal.
They sell the produce to the contractors at these places after drying. All produce collected are sold
and they do not keep it for personal use. The primary collector collects about 4-5 kg of lichen
material per day but Kumar (2009) reported 3.39 kg lichen/day/collector in its collection period
during October to March. The laborer collects lichen material 15-20 kg per day. The lichen is
collected directly from the trees as well as from the ground that is fallen lichen.
The laborer collect the maximum amount of lichens about 5 quintals per month as they are
hired especially for this job, but the villagers (primary collectors) collect it as a part time job apart
from their agricultural and other household activities.
110
Different mode of marketing of L & M: In order to study the marketing channel for L & M, it is
important to know the past and the present mode of marketing of this produce as well as the role of
different institutions and organizations involves in the promotion of the trade. Prior to the year
2005-06, the L & M and other medicinal plants were not regulated. It was on the basis of contractor
system. The only registered society that helped in the promotion of trade was Zila Bhesagh Sangh
Sahkari Samiti (ZBSSS), which was responsible for regulating the trade only at extraction level. It
had nothing to do with marketing of the produce.
After October 2004, Forest Department (FD) took active role by involving two semi
government corporations namely Van Vikas Nigam (VVN) and Kumaun Mandal Vikas Nigam
(KMVN) for Kumaun and Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) for Garhwal region. VVN now
plays important role in auction of L & M.
Marketing channels for L & M: Out of three prevailing marketing channels for L & M, first two are
more in practice. The main purpose of involving the ZBSSS and VVN in this trade is to regulate
the extraction of the produce so that it is not overexploited and to provide remunerative price to the
primary collectors (villagers) prevent their exploitation from contractors and middlemen.
Channel first: In this channel the forest department gives contract to two agencies for collection of
L & M namely ZBSSS and VVN. Forest department is also involving KMVN for Kumaun and
GMVN for Garhwal. The local traders whosoever is interested in the extraction of lichen and moss
approach the ZBSSS for their area for contract. These contractors deposit a sum of Rs. 10,000.00 as
registration fee in the form of security. This fee is refundable after 31st March when extraction of
produce from the allotted ranges (areas) gets over. The FD opens only few ranges for the extraction
of the produce. This goes on the rotational basis i.e. if range 1 was opened last year, the range 2
will be opened this year and range 3 the consequent year.
The local traders collect lichen and moss from two sources viz. primary collectors and
laborers appointed by them. The permit is provided to the villagers for the collection of L & M. The
villagers collect the produce on daily basis and after drying sell the produce to the local contractors.
These contractors have retail shops in the village itself. When sufficient quantity of L & M is
collected by the local traders, they tabulate the quantity of L & M in terms of sack bags, number of
trucks in the sack bags are loaded and other information about quantity etc. in the form of ‘Talika’
(tabular form) to the ZBSSS. The ZBSSS cross checks the information and forwards it to the forest
department. The DFO forwards it to the range office, where they charge their royalty (Rs.
111
210.00/qtl., which was previously Rs. 160.00/qtl), which includes sale tax and income tax. After all
these formalities of the FD issues transit pass locally called as ‘Ravanna’ to local traders. Ravanna
tells the route to be followed by the contractor to the auction places (mandi). This Ravanna is valid
till seven days from date of issue. The produce then reaches the VVN depot. VVN is responsible
for the auctioning of the produce. This is a public auction and any person involved in buying for the
produce can participate in this. After auction, the produces is loaded in truck and transported to its
destination places for example Kannauj (a town of Uttar Pradesh). The commission charged of
different commission agents from the trades given in table 2 and estimated expenses & profit per
truck is given in table 3.
Second channel: It is also know as Van Panchayat Channel. In this method, the villagers with the
permission from the Panchayat can extract the L & M from the Van Panchayat/ (called community)
forest. The VP has to seek permission from the ZBSSS but the FD does not charge royalty. This fee
is issued by the Panchayat for village development works. ZBSSS only takes the commission of
selling price of the lot. After this the ZBSSS transports the produce of VVN deport for auction. The
process is similar as in channel first.
Third channel: This channel is known as ‘Bandhak’ in local language or pledge. This is rarely
practiced. According to this method, 75% of the amount of the goods sale is given to the traders
and rest 25% is retained by the ZBSSS after deduction of its commission of 10% returns the rest
15% to the traders after completion of sale of the entire produce.
Auction process at the VVN depots: In Uttarakhand, auction of L & M takes place at three places,
namely Ramnagar, Tankpur and Rishikesh. The auction is conducted at the VVN depots at these
places. The date of auction is fixed and is different for each of these places. This is a public auction
and any person can participate in it and can buy the produce by calling the price. Table 4 shows the
produce from different places comes to these depots for auction.
Fixing of price at auction: The rates of lichen and moss are fixed on per kilogram basis. The
standard rate is fixed by local traders and is approved by VVN officials. This standard rate is fixed
keeping in view the entire expenses on transportation, cost price and profit. After this standard
price is fixed, the private traders participate in auction process and call their price. The highest
bigger gets the produce and within seven days, the price is paid to the local contractors.
Quantity analysis of lichen and moss traded at different auction sites: Table 5 shows the quantity of
the lichen and moss at VVN depots in an auction. It is depicted that majority of the produce traded
112
is lichen. It is evident that, out of all the three auction depots Ramnagar is the biggest mandi
(market) and the number of participants is very high (Table 5).
Two auctions are held in each month, and it can be estimated that if in Ramnagar, in the last
auction 500qtl of lichen and 76 qtl of moss was traded so in the a month total trade in approximate
terms was of 1000 qtl of the lichen and 150 qtl of moss. The number of months auction takes place
in one season is 8 (i.e., total number of an auctions in a year are 16). Approximate trade in terms of
quantity in one season from Ramnagar mandi is around 8000 qtl lichen and 1200qtl for moss. The
auction system in Ramnagar mandi was initiated from October 2004.
In Tanakpur, auction system was initiated from January 2005. The sales in the auction
were not regular, if in one auction three was sale the other one showed nil sales. Total quantity of
lichen traded from January to April was about 600 quintals and moss traded from the time of
initiation of auction is about 7 quintals.
In Rishikesh, auction began from December 2004, and the total trade in terms of quantity in
lichen up to April was 939 quintals and moss was 18 quintals.
Price analysis at primary collector level: The villagers (primary collectors) sell the produce weekly
or twice in a week at the retail shops of the local contractors in the villages. They get about Rs. 25-
35 per kg for lichens and Rs. 5-6 per kg for moss being extracted. The price of the produce
fluctuates depending upon its quality and as well as availability. About three different qualities or
grades of lichens are about Rs. 35-40 per kg for primary collectors.
Grade 1st supposed to be the best quality and is known as Phoolmaal in local language
(Everniastrum species of lichen). It does not have any bark or moss attached to it. Their price is
about Rs. 35-40 per kg for the primary collectors.
Grade 2nd contains the mixed percentage of grade 1st, mosses and bark of trees. The price of
this grade is about Rs. 20-35 per kg for the primary collectors.
Similarly, Grade 3rd is known as ‘Patthar Chura’ growing over the rock surface (saxicolous
lichens). The price fetched by the primary collectors for this grade is about Rs. 25 per kg.
113
Table 1: Quantum of lichen material traded at contractor level from BFD in one season (October to
March)
Local market of No. of Qty./ Trader (in Qtls.) Total quantity (in Qtls.)
district Chamoli traders (Number of trucks X quantity (Number of traders X quantity
Garhwal per truck) per trader)
Narayanbagar 07 7X35= 245 07X245= 1715
Tharali 05 10X35=350 05X350=1750
Dewal 03 10X35=350 03X350=1050
Total 4517
Table 2: Percentage of commission

Name of organization Commission charges
Van Vikas Nigam (VVN) 1% of selling price
Bhesajh Sangh 10% of selling price
Table 3: Calculation of profit to the traders
Capacity of Price of one Expenses/ Royalty/ Selling Price @ Net Profit
a truck truck lichen Commission Rs. 7500/Qtl (Selling cost-
(@ Rs Total
3500.00/Qtl expenses) -
purchase cost
1 2 3 4 5
40 Qtl Rs. 140000.00 FD= Rs. 210X40Qtl=Rs. Rs. 300000.00 300000.00-
8400.00 45400.00
VVN= 1% of column 4= Rs. = Rs.
3000.00 254600.00-
BS= 10% of column 4= Rs. Rs.
30000.00 140000.00=
Net commission= 41400.00 Rs.
Transpotation cost= Rs. 114600.00
4000.00
Total Expenses (Total
commission +
Transportation Cost) = Rs.
41400.00+4000.00
= Rs. 45400.00
Table 4: The produce from different places comes to the depots for auction
VVN Sources of produce to the depots
Depots
Ramnagar Nainital, Badrinath (Chamoli), Bageshwar and
Almora
Tanakpur Pithoragarh and Champawat
Rishikesh Kedarnath forest division (Rudraprayag)
114
Table 5: Status of lichen & moss traded at different auction sites of the state on weekly basis
Auction Number of Forest Quantity Price Average Total cost
sites participants produces (Qtls.) Rs/Kg price of the
Rs./Qtl. produce
(Rs.)
Ramnagar 35 Lichen 502.8 50-83 6650.00 3343620.00
Moss 76.57 24.10- 2705.00 207121.85
30
Tanakpur 18 Lichen 228.00 42- 5630.00 1621440.00
70.60
Moss 1.6 18- 1975.00 3160.00
21.50
Rishikesh 15 Lichen 70.00 60 6000.00 420000.00
Moss No moss - - -
DISCUSSION
Atkinson (1982) mentioned that the lichens from the Uttar Pradesh (now Uttarakhand) hills are
traded in the plains of the country for medicinal uses as tonics, febrifuges and antipyretics. The big
trading centers are located in Ramnagar, Tanakpur and Rishikesh. The Badrinath Forest Division
(BFD) of the Uttarakhand state is situated extensively as majority of the trade outflow to the
mandis or auction sites. The primary occupation of the peoples is agriculture, but owing to the
subsistence nature of hill agriculture, they are partially dependent on surrounding forest resources
for their livelihood. The primary collectors are ignorant of the market price and due to less income,
are not able to participate in the auction. In the last two months quantity of lichen traded from
Rishikesh was decreasing and traders are more and more participating in Ramnagar and Tanakpur
depots. At the trader’s level, the value addition is done by the grading of lichens. The process of
grading involves separating the different qualities of lichens and marketing them by giving
different graders. The traders with manufacturers are also involved in the production of end
products.
In the two auctions moss was not traded from Tanakpur and Rishikesh depots. In Ramnagar
auction the traders from Kannauj also participated but they were not allowed to purchase the
produce to local traders bid very high price. It was done so that the manufactures from Kannauj or
other places brought the produce from the local traders of Ramnagar so that they could get their
own share profit. In Ramnagar auction, traders from Nainital, Bhimtal, Nandprayag, Chamoli
participated in auction. The other produce like Tejpatta, Coriander, Baelgiri contributes very little
115
from Tanakpur and Rishkesh mandi. The major role of the VVN was the collection of lichen &
moss and conducting a public auction.
Conservation Strategy: Kumar (2009) suggested a collector for the major part of the year can earn a
reasonable income by collecting the fallen lichens without being destructive with some knowledge
of the lichen fall and seasonal pattern. In case of lichen and moss sector, the ZBSSS provides
training to the collectors on scientific harvesting technique. The bark of the respective trees should
not be pulled out while its extraction. Upreti (1995) mentioned the ethnobotanical, commercial
utilization of lichens and decline of forest cover as the leading factors to loss of lichen diversity in
India. Singh and Sinha (1997) mentioned agriculture, urbanization, construction of road, building
on hills, mineral extraction, hydroelectrical projects, shifting cultivation are responsible for
depletion of many lichen rich habitats.
In this article the author have to describe the status of harvesting, collection and marketing
strategy of lichens in the state. The excessive field information has been collected from several
lichen collectors of Chamoli district Garhwal. A perusal of available literature (see references) has
indicated that a study on lichen harvesting and marketing is not available. Therefore present article
will certainly help to asses the demand of lichen and moss at different levels, so that major bottle-
necks faced by the villagers in trading of lichen and moss can be removed.
This information will be the first attempt to answer these basic queries and help in collection,
grading, trading, conservation and management of lichens. Define the current and future option
available for alternate livelihood from the lichens. It will be help to guide immediate and long term
management, policy and decision making strategies
REFERENCES
Atkinson, E.T. The Himalayan Districts of Northwest Provinces of India. Cosmo Publication
(1982). New Delhi 1: 720.
Kumar, B. and Upreti, D. K. An account of lichens on fallen twigs of three Quercus species in
Chopta forest of Garhwal Himalayas, India. Annals of Forestry (2008), 15 (1):92-98.
Kumar, B. Lichen resource use pattern and its socioeconomic status in temperate region of Garhwal
Himalaya, India. Nature and Science (2009), 7(2):101-106.
116
Nash, T.H. and Egan, R.S. The biodiversity of lichens and bryophytes. In: Lichen, Bryophytes and
air quality. (Eds. Thomas Nash III & Vilkmar Wirth). Bibl. Lichenol (1988), 30: 11-22 J.
Carmer in der Gebr. Borntra. Verlag. Berlin, Stuttgart.
NRIF (Report). Pilot study on Mechannism for sustainable development & promotion of herbal &
medicinal plants (H & MP) in the state of Uttaranchal, India. Ser division, Planning
Commission, Govt. Of India final report (2004), New Delhi. 1.
Shah, N.C. Lichens of economic importance from the hills of Uttar Pradesh, India. Journal of
Herbs, Spices and Medicinal Plants (1997), 5: 69-76.
Singh, K.P. & Sinha, G.P. Lichen diversity of the eastern Himalayas and its conservation.
Environment and Pollution (1997). 11:349359.
Divakar, P.K. & Upreti, D.K. Parmelioid Lichens in India (a reversionary study) (2005). Bishen
Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, Dehradun (India), 27.
Upreti, D. K, P. K. Divakar, and S. Nayaka. Commercial and ethnic use of lichens in India.
Economic Botany (2005) 59(3):269 – 273.
Upreti, D.K. Loss of diversity in Indian lichen flora. Environmental Conservation (2005) 22 (4):
362-363.
8/8/2010
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Ecological Importance of Lichen

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Ecological Importance of Lichen

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Acdemia Arena 2010, Supplement 0201 http://www.sciencepub.

Ecological, Social and Commercial Role of

Lichens in India with Special Reference to

Department of Botany D. S. B. Campus Kumaun University, Nainital (India)-263001

Chapter 2: Review of Liturature…………………………………………………………………………...20-26

Chapter 3: Phytosociological Analysis Brown Oak Dominated Forest of Garhwal

Chapter 4: Assessment of Lichen Species in a Temperate Region of Garhwal

Chapter 5: Macrolichens Cover and Their Distribution Pattern on Two Common

Chapter 6: Estimation of Dry Mass of Epiphytic Lichens in a Temperate Forest Of

Chapter 7: Seasonal Pattern of Lichen Fall from Trees in an Evergreen Quercus

Chapter 8: An Account of Lichens on Fallen Twigs of Three Quercus Species in

Chapter 9: Quantitative Analysis of Lichen Vegetation in Eleven Forest Sites of a

Chapter 11: Lichen-Moss Harvesting Practicies and Their Marketing Strategy in

Dr. Balwant Kumar

Dr. Balwant Kumar

Kumaun University, Nainital (India)

mostly on steeper south facing exposed slopes up to 2000m altitude.

Fig: Photographs of some forests sites

People and forest management

Need of inventorying and monitoring lichens of Garhwal Himalayas

Ahmadjian, V. (1993). The Lichen Synopsis, Wiley, 1993.

PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS IN BROWN OAK

BALWANT KUMAR, DINESH GIRI & DILIP KUMAR UPRETI*

Key words: Tree species, study sites, Garhwal Himalaya

Table 1: Density (ind ha⎯¹) for trees, saplings and seedlings

Site Species Tree Sapling Seedling

Table 2: Density (ind ha⎯¹) for shrubs

Species Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 Site 5 Site 6 Site 7 Site

Table 3: Density (ind ha⎯¹) for herbs

Lycopodium sp 42800 - - - - - - 190400

Fragaria Sp 388800 418800 484000 366800 42800 - 118000 -

Heteropogon contortus 232800 - 232000 - 202000 - 40800 -

Impatins thomsonii 28000 - - - - - - -

Gentiana peldicellata 38000 340800 266000 - 84000 104000 - 238800

Ocimum americanum 184000 68000 - 10000 32000 52000 - -

Pusiyaghass* 104800 - - 416000 - 526000 28800 230800

Dryopteris sp 40000 254000 - 112800 - 44000 46800 96000

Bistorata macrophylla - 106000 252000 104800 30000 168000 122000 -

Daphniphyllum himalense - 58000 - 160800 - 38800 - -

Lentanasp - - 100800 - - - 100800 18400

Saxifraga andersonii - - - 16800 30800 - - -

Potentilla fulgens - - - 32800 - - - -

Valeriana jatamansi - - - 100800 - - 16000 44800

Impatins thomsonii - - - 378000 - 68800 - -

Pteris cretica - - - - - - 104000 60000

Gaultheria nummylariodes - - - - - - - 290800

Nardostachys jatamansi - - - - - - - 74800

ASSESSMENT OF LICHEN SPECIES IN A TEMPERATE

Baniyakund-Chopta areas of Garhwal is provided. The area is dominated by macrolichens (foliose

the Himalayas and less than 0.5% of Indian lichen diversity.

Key words: Lichen diversity, phorophytes, substratum, growth forms

Identification of lichen species

d) PD test: Solution of paraphenylenediamine is prepared in ethanol or alcohol in a smallquantity

Distance traveled by lichen substance (indicated by spot)

T.O.A- Toluene 180ml, dioxane 60ml: 8- acetic acid.

Key to the lichen genera of Chopta

1 Thallus leprose-crustose………………………………………… Group I

Ascocarps resembling apothecia but ascolocular in nature, round

3b Photobiont stratified, thallus eteromerous……………………… 4

15a Thallus with bulbate cilia along margins……………………… Bulbothrix

1a Thallus podetiate or pseudopodiate…………………………… 2

Key to lichen species of Chopta

1 Thallus yellow, greenish yellow, yellow orange………………… 2