Assessment of Distribution, Richness and Habitat Specificity of Lichens at Genera-level in the Forest-fringe Villages of Dhamtari District, Chhattisgarh, India

Abstract

Lichens, fungi-cyanobacterial or algae-fungi symbiotic groups, are bioindicators of high sensitivity with important ecological functions. Systematic information on their diversity and habitat habits in forest-fringe ecosystems of central India is limited. The present study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence, richness, and habitat specificity of lichen genera in a few forest-fringe villages of Dhamtari district, Chhattisgarh. Field surveys were carried out in four villages- Demar, Singpur, Dugli, and Bhiterras- over three tahsils with four sampling sites. Thirty-six lichen specimens were collected from different substrates and identified at genus level based on morphological and taxonomical characteristics. The genera were grouped according to family, growth form, and habitat association. 30 genera in 15 families were documented, of which Parmeliaceae dominated (eight genera). Corticolous lichens were more diverse than saxicolous lichens, and Shorea robusta and Mangifera indica were the dominant phorophytes. Bhiterras were most diverse (18 genera) followed by Demar with minimum diversity, which reflects environmental stress and restricted niches. The occurrence of cosmopolitan and habitat-specific species reveals ecological heterogeneity. These findings furnish imperative baseline information for biodiversity conservation and highlight lichens as bioindicators of environmental quality and ecosystem modification.