Diversity and distribution of terricolous lichens as indicator of habitat heterogeneity and grazing induced trampling in a temperate-alpine shrub and meadow |
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Authors: | Himanshu Rai D K Upreti Rajan K Gupta |
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Institution: | (1) Lichenology Laboratory, Plant Biodiversity and Conservation Biology Division, National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR), Rana Pratap Marg, Lucknow, 226 001, India;(2) Department of Botany, Pt. L. M. S. Govt. P.G. College, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 249201, India; |
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Abstract: | Lichens are among the most sensitive biomonitors of ecosystem health and human induced disturbances. Terricolous lichens of
Chopta–Tungnath (Garhwal, western Himalaya, India) were analysed for their ability to indicate habitat variability and disturbances
induced by livestock grazing. Terricolous lichens were sampled from 12 sites, distributed across the three macrohabitats between
2,700 and 4,001 m, using 50 × 10 cm narrow frequency grids having five 10 × 10 cm sampling units. The terricolous lichen community
of the area constituted, 20 species belonging to 10 genera, five families and four growth forms. Altitude and relative humidity
were the major habitat factors found influencing the terricolous lichen community of the landscape. Fruticose and compound
soil lichen growth forms were found indicative of habitat disturbance largely caused by grazing induced trampling. Terricolous
lichen diversity of the area was delimited by grazing pressure at mid-altitudes (3,000–3,400 m) and by decreasing soil cover
at higher altitudes (>3,400 m). |
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Keywords: | |
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