Epigeic lichens in thermal habitats on the Southern Kuriles

Abstract

The paper presents the results of studying soil lichens in areas of thermal habitats on the Kuril Islands, including the features of lichen distribution on the isles. Totally four species of epigeic lichens were found when studying the thermal fields on Kunashir and Iturup isles: Cladonia graciliformis, C. granulans, C. vulcani, and C. furcata. First three species are closest to active fumaroles and have the highest rates of occurrence frequency for these habitats.