Achievements
of Lichenological Laboratory
Lichenology in NBRI started in early sixties with one man strength. Today
it is the major centre for lichen studies in India with excellent herbarium,
lichen literature and well equipped infra structure facilities for
identification of lichens. The lichen herbarium of NBRI is one of the biggest
herbarium in South-East Asia holding more than one lakh specimens representing
all the phytogeographical region of India. It includes more than 200 new species
described by Indian lichenologists, excicates, Lucknow University lichen
herbarium (LWU) and personal herbarium of Awasthi (AWAS) which are transferred
to LWG on permanent loan basis.
The major achievements made regarding the lichenological studies in India
are follows,
1.
Taxonomic studies:
About 80 new species belonging to genera Anthracothecium,
Arthropyrenia, Endocarpon, Laurera, Parmentaria, Porina, Pyrenula, Lithothelium,
Lecanora and Hyperphyscia were
described. Complete enumeration of all the existing 305 species of 30 genera of
Pyrenocarpous lichens in Indian subcontinent was provided.
Apart from the pyrenocarpous lichens genera, other genera investigated in
detail include Opegrapha, Heppia, Peltula, Lecanora, Porpidia, Aspicilia, Phyllospora and
Parmelia
s.l.
2.
Floristic studies:
Lichens
of Andaman Island, Jim Corbett National Park, Great Himalayan National Park,
Hemis National Park, Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Chopta-Tunganath, Meghamalai
Wildlife Sanctuary and Sharavathi River Basin were carried out.
3.
Ecological studies:
Studies
on lichens of special habitats like Quercus
and Pinus forests in Kumaon region
and Shorea roubsta forest in
Jharsuguda district of Orissa were enumerated. The community ecology of lichens
were carried out with the case study of Hemis National Park lichens.
4.
Diversity and Conservation:
A detailed account of lichen-diversification in tropical, temperate and
alpine regions of India was prepared. Based on the types of forests, altitude,
climatic conditions and man made changes in the environment, the lichen flora of
India was described. The various factors responsible for loss of diversity both
in urbanized and forested areas were also discussed.
Contributed a detailed account of vulnerable lichens, to the
International Association of Lichenology Committee for conservation of lichens,
Sweden, in developing a ‘Global Red list Lichens”.
In recent studies the Shilt area in Tirthan, Dhela and Dhela-Lapah area
in Sainj and Gati Beat and Apgain Thach area in Jiwa Nal range in Great
Himalayan National Park are recommended as ‘lichen sites’ for the
conservation.
5.
Lichens on historical monuments:
The
lichen flora occurring on different monuments in Culturally rich heritage of
Karnataka, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh have been enumerated and comprised of 40
species of 18 genera.
Lichens of Khajuraho temple were investigated
recently. Being honoured as a ‘World heritage’ the Khajuraho group of
temples are nicely maintained and are at present under chemical treatment for
the eradication of vegetation grown on them. Still ten species of lichens
described which are found growing on the walls of temples and cause damage to
the surface of the temple. The remidal measures including application of some
chemicals are also mentioned.
6. Ethnobotonical
studies of lichens:
Ethnobotanical
studies of lichens (“Ethnolichenology”) from the forest areas of Madhya
Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have been carried out and
information on 11 lichen species, used by different ethnic groups were
presented.
Based on the literature review and in the light of the records of medicinal Plant-lore of India, an account of the Parmelia spp. in the ancient medicinal plant lore of India is provided.
7. Studies on Antarctic
lichens:
A
detailed account of the lichen flora of the Maitri region was provided. To gain
a baseline information on the recent levels of Heavy metals in the lichens
occurring in Maitri area, the heavy metals estimated for Cr, Pb, Cu, Fe, and Zn
were conducted in 13 species of lichens inhabiting different ecological niches.
The total contents of carotenoids were also estimated in the lichen material
from the area.
8. Antifungal properties
of lichens:
In
collaboration with the Botany Department, Allahabad University, Allahabad,
studies on the antifungal properties of some lichens were carried out. The
extract of Heterodermia leucomela showed
broad spectrum antifungal properties against the human and plant tested
pathogens by inhibiting the spore germination of the fungal agent.
9. Studies on carotenoid
contents in Indian lichens:
In
collaborative study with Polish lichenologist the carotenoid contents of Indian
lichens were investigation. The data on the presence or absence of the various
carotenoids, play an important role in taxonomy of plants. The carotenoid
contents of lichen genus Diploschistes,
Lobaria and Peltigera were
investigated form India. 17 carotenoids were isolated from Lobaria
and Peltigera while Diploschistes
species exhibit the presence sixteen carotenoids.
10. Air pollution
monitoring:
In
India the pollution monitoring studies with the help of lichens are by and large
neglected. Recently few studies related with heavy metal accumulation in lichens
of Antarctica and some urban areas of Uttar Pradesh and Nepal were completed.
The level of air pollution at different sites of Lucknow City with help of
lichen transplant technique were also carried out.
11. Plant Resources of
Uttar Pradesh:
About
470 lichen species have been enumerated regarding the preparation of the
checklist of lichens of Uttar Pradesh along with their family, full citation,
synonym, vernacular name, habit and salient features, habitat, distribution,
status and economic uses. The data has been entered into the computer and a
comprehensive list has been made.
12. In-vitro
culture of lichens:
Recently In vitro culture of medicinally important lichen is started in the centre.