Message - 7th IAL Symposium

Lichen: from genome to ecosystem in a changing world
1A-O
(1A – O7) Submission ID: IAL0248-00001
LICHEN CONSERVATION IN DENSELY POPULATED AREAS: PRESSURES AND MEASURES
Sparrius L. 1
1 Dutch Bryological and Lichenological Society, Gouda, Netherlands
Lichen populations have suffered from many threads in densely populated areas, including habitat
fragmentation, air pollution and change management practices. As a result some species have become rare,
whereas a small group of species is able to survive under most of these pressures. These pressures are illustrated
together with successfully applied conservation measures in the Netherlands. The first example is
the disappearance of epiphytic lichen populations due to changes in atmospheric pollutants and their partial
recovery after air pollution reduction measures were taken. The composition of the lichen vegetation over the
past 50 years reflects mainly substrate acidity preference, caused by changes in pollutant concentrations. Life
history strategy and remaining pressures seem to be important factors controlling the rate of species recovery.
Secondly, abandonment of traditional 19 th century agricultural practices in heathland and inland dunes led to
habitat loss and fragmentation of terrestrial lichen populations in those areas. Only since 25 years, conservation
measures to restore inland dunes and heathlands are being taken. A recent evaluation shows best practices
for conservation measures such as top soil removal, tree-removal, and re-activation of drift sands. The third
example is habitat loss for coastal lichen populations confined to acid rock. In the 18 th century, dykes were built
to protect the Dutch coast. Imported granite and basalt rock became covered in lichens over the past 250 years.
Current safety measures to improve the quality of older dykes include replacement of natural acid rock by concrete,
which is unsuitable for most typical coastal lichen species, such as Anaptychia runcinata. To protect a part
of the lichen population, rocks with rare species are taken from the dyke and placed back afterwards. Monitoring
showed a considerable survival rate.
(1A – O8) Submission ID: IAL0146-00001
TRADE AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF LICHENS IN NEPAL HIMALAYAS
Devkota S. 1 , Scheidegger C. 1
1 Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL,
Birmensdorf, Switzerland
Like different plant species, lichens are ethnobotanically important for Nepalese. To collect the data
regarding the uses and trade of lichens in different parts of Nepal, field level survey was carried out during 2009-
2011, using standard sets of questions. In Nepal, there are more than 525 lichen species (12% cyanobacterial
and 88% green algal lichens) and around 30 species are ethnobotanically important. Apart from trade and foods,
lichens are also used as spices, to treat against wounds and burns, as bedding materials and to ignite fire. Collections
of some lichen species has generally increased in last few years. As example, in Banke district, the trade
of lichens increased from 43.6 thousand Kg in 2009 to 199.3 thousand Kg in 2011 and such trend has seriously
declined the availability of lichen species in different parts of Nepal. The amount of lichens collected in west
Nepal is more for trade but in east Nepal they are collected for food and rituals. Generally, lichens are collected
by adolescent or children and each collector collects from 2-10 Kg/day. Though Nepal Government has banned
lichens for the export without processing, the effective implementation of such laws is currently lacking.
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