An Assessment of Lichens Diversity from Mandi District, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

A total of 70 species of lichens belonging to 29 genera and 15 families were found growing in eight different localities of Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh, India. The present study reveals the addition of 14 species of lichens as new to the state. The lichen genus Lecanora with 11 species exhibits the dominance in the area. Among the different localities of the district the area Sikandra Dhar showed maximum diversity of lichens followed by Balh valley, Barot and Mandi city as 19, 18, 17 and 16 species, respectively. The tropical zone exhibits luxuriant growth of trees like Pinus, Shorea robusta, Prunus, Celtis, Grewia and Rubina. The Rubina and Populus trees cultivated along road side bear luxuriant growth of Candelaria concolor together with Physcia dilatata, a foliose lichen. The temperate region of the district exhibits luxuriant growth of Quercus leucotricophora trees which support the luxuriant growth of Parmotrema nilgherrense, Ramalina conduplicans, Ramalina sinensis, Heterodermia diademata and Usnea species.