Abstract

Bio-Indicator Lichens of Sikandra Hills of North West Himalaya

Author(s): Monika Thakur and Hem Chander

During the lichen floristic studies, three hundred specimens of lichens were collected from Sikandra hill, which is situated in Shivalik zone of North West Himalaya. These specimens were then investigated morpho-chemo-taxonomically and thirty species of lichens have been identified. Out of these, ten species of lichens (viz. Can-delaria concolor(Dicks.) Arnold, Heterodermia pseudospeciosa(Kurok.) W.L. Culb, Lecanora chlarotera Nyl, Parmo-trema praesorediosum(Nyl.) Hale, Parmotrema tinctorum(Despr. ex Nyl.) Hale, Phaeophyscia hispidula(Ach.) Essl, Physcia stellaris(L.) Nyl., Punctelia subrudecta(Nyl.) Krog, Pyxine subcinerea Stirt) act as bio-indicator. Candelaria concoloris a nitrophile and act as indicator of nitrogen pollution, whereas, Punctelia subrudecta is nitrogen tolerant. Heterodermia pseudospeciosabelong to physcioid lichen community and is toxi-tolerant species. The other seven lichen speciesact as bio-indicator of heavy metal air pollutants (iron, chromium, copper, zinc, lead and nickel. These potential bio-indicator lichen species can be used for monitoring of environmental quality in the study area.

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