What specific areas can I find Lichen?

jo_keogh · #1 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 06:39 PM

Hello, I live near Manchester and I need a large amount of lichen for an image and was wondering if anyone knew a good place to go in the north-west..ish

Thanks

Paul mabbott · #2 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 06:42 PM

Which lichen and how much?

RoyW · #3 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 07:50 PM

Also what do you mean by you "need a large amount of lichen for an image"?

A photograph in situ is one thing, but even if I could help I wouldn't want to help someone who intended to collect a large quantity of lichen for some sort of art project.

Meta menardi · #4 (**permalink**) 13-10-2011, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoyW

Also what do you mean by you "need a large amount of lichen for an image"?

A photograph in situ is one thing, but even if I could help I wouldn't want to help someone who intended to collect a large quantity of lichen for some sort of art project.

There is quite a lot on my car, especially the windcreen wiper shields. Doesn't get washed a lot (or even used that much).

jo_keogh · #5 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 09:20 AM

If we want to get technical aren't all images for art? I like the yellow lichen that is found mostly near the sea, but really I want the image to show a cleaner air environment...

The Woodman · #6 (**permalink**) 14-10-2011, 09:46 AM

In that case you might want to consider the species Lobaria pulmonaria which is sensitive to air pollution. I'm sure there are others but this species can be seen in certain parts of the Lake District, an easily accessed location is close to M6 J39 is in broadleaf woodland near the dam on Haweswater.

AlanS · #7 (**permalink**) 16-10-2011, 01:11 AM

Still puzzled by the "large amount" bit, suggestive of collecting. If so, Lobaria pulmonaria is definitely NOT a suitable subject.

The orange-yellow lichen that is now common is Xanthoria parietina, an indicator of nitrate/ammonia deposition, definitely not of clean air!

If the object is to get a photo of branches covered by a diversity of lichens, all hanging down, beard lichens (Usnea) and the like, then I agree that the Lakes would seem to best place to go. But get away from traffic fumes and agricultural land, or it will be all Xanthoria.

Alan

jo_keogh · #8 (**permalink**) 17-10-2011, 02:23 PM

Well it doesn't need to be large amounts more on a large scale so that theres a lot to look at, I don't just want an image of like small parts, if that explains it better.

Ok so I should stay clear of the yellow stuff, do you know why it grows so well, because of the nitrate?

Would you consider it a bad air source?

How far into the lake district would I need to go? Just a deserted part. I just find the Lichen really interesting as a natural indicator. But also I read that it formed from two separate fungi's or moss and these evolved into Lichen. Can you confirm this??

fairplay · #9 (**permalink**) 18-10-2011, 08:53 PM

I have a feeling you don't understand how your first post came across.
Lichens are extremely slow growing organisms and people who study them feel very protective, so when you said you require 'large amounts' alarm bells rang.

It is still not known if you intend to remove

the lichen and bundle it all together for a more feasty photograph or are seeking a tree or other substrate where a lot of it would be growing and take the photo in situ. (leaving the lichen intact)

By the way, lichen in its simplest form, is a combination of a fungal partner and an algal partner living in symbiosis with each other. Sometimes cyanobacteria can be the partner, but this is not my subject of study.

As for "aren't all images for art'' ? No, it depends upon how you define 'image'.

Neil.

Neil.