Loss of Forest Tree Species:A Threat to Epiphytic Lichen Diversity of Jammu and Kashmir

Abstract

The present study was conducted for documenting the epiphytic lichen diversity in PirPanjal mountain ranges of Inner Himalaya of Jammu and Kashmir State of India. A total of 21 species of epiphytic lichens growing over numerous tree species were collected, identified and documented from the study area. It was further observed that Quercusleuco trichophora appeared to be the most favoured tree species for the epiphytic lichens as nine out of the 21 species were found to be growing on it. Many factors during the course of present study have been identified which have badly impacted the growth of epiphytic lichens in the region. Many of the tree species which form an ideal habitat for these lichens are being exploited for one or the other reason. The loss of tree species, therefore, will lead to the vanishing of many important lichen species from the area. It will ultimately lead to loss of biodiversity in general and epiphytic lichens in particular.