Lichens Lichens - Scottish Natural Heritage

More documents

Recommendations

Info

13 Sticta limbata is particularly sensitive to acid rain but is still widespread in the woodlands of western Scotland
I mportant habitats for lichens T he Celtic rain forest The west of Scotland holds very wet and mossy, oak and hazel woods which are internationally important for their lichens, mosses and liverworts. Their higher plant flora is not particularly special. It is the epiphytes (plants which grow on other plants without being parasitic) clothing the trees that are exceptional. The woods are best developed along the sides of sheltered sea lochs such as Sunart, Shiel and Moidart. Some of these woods are so remote that they still have not been fully explored for lichens. It is quite an experience to visit these Celtic rain forests. The trees are of only a moderate size and the first impression is of how mossy the habitat is - a deep blanket of moss covers the floor, climbs the tree trunks, festoons horizontal boughs, and even extends into the canopy. By absorbing rain and mist, then releasing this moisture slowly, the blanket of mosses and liverworts helps maintain the very high humidity. The moss forms the base on which the rare lichen communities are found, especially one called the 'Lobarion' after its most conspicuous family. There are four species of lungworts (Lobaria) that can grow to the size of dinner plates. Growing with these are lead-grey Pannaria, Parmeliella and Degelia species, dark Stictas and jelly lichens, Biatora sphaeroides with pink fruits and Dimerella lutea with bright yellow ones. The trees often have a skirt of dog lichen (Peltigera) which has abundant shield-like, chestnut-coloured fruit bodies. The weight of the lichen cover eventually becomes so great that the moss peels off the trees, leaving heaps of these internationally rare lichens around their base. You do not have to know the names of the lichens to realise that you are somewhere very special. 14 18
Page 1 and 2: Lichens naturally scottish There ar
Page 3 and 4: © Scottish Natural Heritage 2004 I
Page 5 and 6: Foreword Whilst Scotland's outstand
Page 7 and 8: VIII Lichen-covered oak trees at Ar
Page 9 and 10: 2 Orange Sea Star (Caloplaca verruc
Page 11 and 12: H ow lichens multiply and disperse
Page 13 and 14: 6 Inside a Harris tweed factory wit
Page 15 and 16: W hat’s in a name? Many Scottish
Page 17 and 18: T he exceptional Scottish climate L
Page 19: A ir as pure as wine? Most people a
Page 23 and 24: The best lichen sites are on sunny,
Page 25 and 26: C aledonian pinewoods It is a myth
Page 27 and 28: Hazel stems covered in mosses, live
Page 29 and 30: A lpines galore Only a tiny fractio
Page 31 and 32: 24 The rare Goblin Lights (Catolech
Page 33 and 34: T he coast Several features combine
Page 35 and 36: Lichen heath in the stabilized dune
Page 37 and 38: B lanket bog Most level ground in t
Page 39 and 40: C onservation It should be clear by
Page 41 and 42: B iodiversity Action Plan and the R
Page 43 and 44: F inding out more about lichens Lis
Page 45 and 46: Also in the Naturally Scottish seri

Lichens Lichens - Scottish Natural Heritage

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?