4. DISCOVERING LICHENS: DIVERSITY and IDENTIFICATION

Lichens are ubiquitous, growing in most habitats of the world on both natural and manmade surfaces. They have a number of valuable ecological and economic functions. Lichens are named and classified according to the fungal partner which associates with a photosynthetic partner in a symbiotic relationship. Common macro-lichens are relatively easy to identify to genus. With a little more effort, many of the more difficult ones can be identified to species. While this presentation will provide a snapshot of the broad diversity of lichens, it will focus on the Beard lichens (Usnea, Bryoria, Evernia), the Pixie Cups, British Soldiers and Reindeer lichens (Cladonia), and the Pelt lichens (Peltigera). These commonly encountered lichens form only a minute proportion of the 13,500 known species – half of all the known Ascomycetes! Learn how to identify lichens, including the ecologically important pioneer species that stabilize disturbed habitats and the economically important species that produce antibacterial or other biologically active compounds.