Lichen get their own gallery

[FungiJohn]

Hello all

There are more than 1,700 species of lichen in Britain and I’m sure there are people here who would pick up on the chance to build on the topic.

Churchyards are a good source for lichens and it is estimated that there are about 700 species found mainly on stone.

Lichens are traditionally linked with pollution studies and they can provide visual indicators for certain types of air pollution e.g. sulphur dioxide, nitrogen compounds from agricultural fertilizers and car exhausts.

Its one of our missing links that’s been bothering me for ages now! I’m sure its only a matter of time before we have a LichenLes from Lichfield .... and maybe a Lichen forum.

So ... next time you pass a church

John

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Hello all

Its one of our missing links that’s been bothering me for ages now! I’m sure its only a matter of time before we have a LichenLes from Lichfield .... and maybe a Lichen forum.

nice one - I liche it

[Tiggrx]

Great to see a lichen Gallery at last - always a bit tricky to know where to include them otherwise

Can't wait for LichenLes to join - have lots of photos for him to ID

[goosey]

Seeing this thread has just bought to mind a photo of a tree I took last summer at RSPB Leighton Moss. It has various lichens and moss there may even be fungi aswell. I wouldn't have a clue about any Id's let alone the latin names. Would this photo be rejected straight off?

[AlanS]

LOL, I was wondering how I could have missed the lichen Gallery when I found it and was sure I hadn't seen it earlier!

For all that lichens are fungi, and by no means just one taxonomic group within the fungi, separating them is a good idea. They are highly photogenic and it could be an attractive Gallery, though a major challenge to photographic technique. (Many completely defeat autofocus cameras, and the digital viewfinders of modern compacts don't have sufficient resolution for accurate manual focus.)

I am afraid I have had to query a couple of the existing names, though. Sorry.

Alan Silverside

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by AlanS

LOL, I was wondering how I could have missed the lichen Gallery when I found it and was sure I hadn't seen it earlier!

For all that lichens are fungi, and by no means just one taxonomic group within the fungi, separating them is a good idea. They are highly photogenic and it could be an attractive Gallery, though a major challenge to photographic technique. (Many completely defeat autofocus cameras, and the digital viewfinders of modern compacts don't have sufficient resolution for accurate manual focus.)

I am afraid I have had to query a couple of the existing names, though. Sorry.

Alan Silverside

Hi Alan,

I was hoping someone would come along with experience of lichen

Thanks for the ID corrections in the Gallery. Lets hope we see many more interesting species in the months to come.

WAB is grateful to have you onboard

John

[jennyb]

A Lichen Gallery is a great idea. I have been struggling with lichen for quite a while now. A gellery on their own will make it easier to try to ID them.

Yes, I agree Alan, they are very difficult to photograph.

Jenny

[AlanS]

Originally Posted by FungiJohn

Hi Alan,

I was hoping someone would come along with experience of lichen

Thanks for the ID corrections in the Gallery. Lets hope we see many more interesting species in the months to come.

WAB is grateful to have you onboard

John

Thanks FungiJohn.

I have been learning my lichens at odd moments over the past few years and maintain a website on them, but my knowledge and experience is very patchy. Some groups I am getting to know, but it is a slow process!

Alan

[FungiJohn]

Originally Posted by AlanS

Thanks FungiJohn.

I have been learning my lichens at odd moments over the past few years and maintain a website on them, but my knowledge and experience is very patchy. Some groups I am getting to know, but it is a slow process!

Alan

Hi Alan, its good for all having you on WAB

I concentrate mainly on fungi photography but will take lichen images when the opportunity arises ... I think its more a case of struggling with the fungi first before venturing into lichen It is, I agree a slow process indeed!

Fortunately, more people are now looking at fungi and by doing so are entering the fascinating world of lichen … which is excellent news in both camps. If there is sufficient interest it may also be useful to have a seperate forum for lichen.

John

[arvensis]

Theres some literature here that may be of interest:

NHBS Botany Catalogue: Lichens

I know its a commercial site but I thought it may be of interest.

Mark