Lichen research
The lichen Physcia tenella is tolerant of polluted air
As well as housing one of the world’s most important lichen collections, the Natural History Museum is an important centre for lichenology – the study of lichens.
Lichen-related research in the Botany Department can be divided into two main areas:
- lichen systematics - the study of how lichen fungi are related to each other and to other fungi, and how they have evolved
- lichens and the environment
Lichen systematics
The specimens in our collections and their characteristics are our main tools, providing us with morphological, anatomical, chemical and molecular traits.
What we do:
- describe and name new species and genera - the basis for communication amongst all scientists
- classify them according to what we know about their evolutionary relationships
- produce floras, keys and checklists - vital for scientists worldwide to identify specimens
Lichens and the environment
Lichens are widespread in both natural and man-made surroundings, making them valuable tools in assessing the quality of our environment where rapid changes are occuring.
The delicate balance that exists between the fungal and algal partners makes them especially sensitive indicators of:
- air quality
- climate
- metal contamination
- forest health
- nutrient enrichment
As lichens respond to the environment in so many ways, our collections and unrivalled knowledge of lichen systematics, ecology and significance place us in a unique position to assess and monitor environmental health throughout the world.
Specimens from our collections can be used as an information source for baseline data on environmental conditions - even from past centuries and remote areas of the world where no other information is available.
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Current lichen research
Learn about the diverse range of lichen-related projects involving Botany Department staff. They include collaborative work on lichen diversity in the tropics and involving the public to assess air quality using lichens.
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Staff studying lichens
Find out who is currently involved in lichen-related research at the Museum.