Floristic Diversity Status Assessment of Lichens from Dima Hasao District, North East, India

Abstract

An enumeration of 142 species of lichens belonging to 60 genera and 27 families from Dima Hasao district in North East region is provided. The present study supplemented 98 species new to the lichen biota of Assam. The study added one new record of basidiolichen [Multiclavula vernalis (Schw.) Petersen] to the lichen biota of India. The lichen genus Graphis with 21 species exhibit its dominance in the area followed by Pyrenula and Parmotrema with nine and eight species respectively. Among the different localities in the area Umrangso towards Khundog showed maximum diversity of lichens represented by 58 species followed by the locality in and around circuit house, represented by 42 species. The dominance of Graphidioid community in the area indicates an evergreen open canopy forest as well as the presence of smooth bark trees in the region.