Macrolichens abundantly found in Central Western Ghats of Karnataka

BANGALORE: A high 106 species of macrolichens were abundantly found in three districts of the Malnad region in the central Western Ghats of Karnataka. Among these, 95 species were recorded in Shimoga, 84 and 72 species were recorded respectively at Chikmagalur and Hassan. The highest species diversity was found in tropical deciduous forests, followed by semi-evergreen, evergreen and the montane forests.

Talking of threats, the major area of concern to the abundantly found lichens are the structural changes in agricultural landscapes, air pollution and deforestation. These are the factors to which the continuous degradation of the habitat can be attributed. The habitat is being destroyed continuously, say experts.

The need of the hour is an identification of the rare species in the macrolichens community based on qualitative information on pattern of distribution of their population in the landscape. Experts say without such information on the diverse species thriving in abundance there, any program on conservation and sustainable management of bioresources in the said area will not hold much ground. A study to this effect has been undertaken by researcher Vinayaka Kanivebagilu of the Kuvempu University of Shankaraghatta, located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka.