Corticolous Lichen Diversity of Gulmarg Forest Area

Abstract

An assessment has been carried out in Gulmarg forest ecosystem Baramulla , to explore the Corticolous lichen diversity of the region. A total of 26 Corticolous lichen species were found during the study period in the site belonging to the 11 families. Among the growth forms foliose (12 species)was the most frequenty encountered lichen, followed by Crustose with 10 species and Fruticose with 4 species . The family Physciaceae was found as dominating family with 8 species followed by Parmeliaceae(4 species),Sterocaulaceae (3 species) Teloschistaceae, Collemataceae ,Pertusariaceae , Lecanoraceae ), Candelariaceae, , Acarosporaceae , Psilolechiaceae, Crysothriaceae ( 1 each ). The mean lichen diversity value were generated based on the record for five sites to be 1195.7246 .