IJCRR

IJCRR - 5(14), July, 2013

Pages: 01-04

Date of Publication: 29-Jul-2013

LICHEN DIVERSITY OF KARGIL TOWN AND ITS ADJOINING AREAS, J & K

Author: Ali Rahim, Anil K. Raina, Asma Hussan

Category: General Sciences

Abstract:The present study involves an investigation into the biodiversity of Lichens in the Kargil district of Ladakh Division of Jammu and Kashmir State situated in the North of India. The study was promulgated to get some idea about the diversity and distribution pattern of lichens as this area is poorly explored yet. A total of 25 lichen species were collected from six (6) different sites belonging to 13 genera and 8 families. The crustose lichens showed marked dominance represented by 17 species followed by foliose represented by 8 species. Sanko and Kako-shilikchey record maximum number of 16 and 12 lichen species respectively. The whole data lead to formulate a naturality judgement that though the present record of lichen species may appear to be less but keeping in view the extreme climatic conditions and poor, degraded vegetative cover of landscape, this number may be considered good and the area may be regarded as lichen rich area.

Keywords: Lichens, Kargil, Diversity, Dominance

Full Text:

INTRODUCTION
Lichens are an outstanding group of symbiotic organisms exploiting wide range of diverse habitats. Lichens consisting of two unrelated organisms, a fungus and algae are perennial, stable, long living and highly sensitive. It is often difficult and expensive to measure environmental parameters of an ecosystem, while it is easier and more convenient to measure the signal from a specific indicator and use it for estimating environmental condition. Here the role of Lichens comes into play as lichens are considered as excellent biomonitors and indicators of environmental change (Will- Wolf et al. 2002a). Maps of lichen biodiversity or abundance enable identification of areas with different levels of disturbance. Lichen biodiversity is also sensitive to abiotic variables related to macro- and microclimatic variations. Regarding macroclimatic variations, we can consider changes in temperature, precipitation, geomorphology, and soil chemistry (Brunialti and Giordani, 2003). These variations must, however, be considered when comparing lichen biodiversity data from different geographical areas or even within the same area but with significantly different abiotic variables (Giordani et al., 2001; Brunalti and Giordani, 2003). Though rich in diversity of lichens, Jammu and Kashmir State has yet to be explored systematically for the lichen species to fully understand their distribution pattern and also the ecological significance in the ecosystem. The main purposes of the present work was to contribute to a better understanding of the biodiversity and distribution of lichens species with respect to Kargil district in Ladakh Division of Jammu and Kashmir state. The studied area i.e. Kargil district in Ladakh Division is a mountainous, cold desert, snow bound and sparsely vegetated. It occupies unique position in the country because of its altitude which ranges from 2000-7000 meters above mean sea level. The studies related to lichens are scanty in Ladakh. Keeping this fact under consideration and thus to fulfill our purpose collections were made from six different sites of Kargil district; Site-I: Sodh (Alt.- 2700mt), Site-II: Kako-Shilikchey (Alt- 2900mt), Site-III: Sankoo (Alt- 2800mt), Site-IV: Skamboo (Alt- 2850mt), Site-V: Kurbathang (Alt- 2900mt) and Site-VI: Mangbore (Alt- 2850mt) The locations surveyed within the district exhibit distinct variation in attitude.

MATERIAL AND METHODS
The lichen collections were made from all kinds of substratum tree trunks, rocks and soil. Along with lichen collection the details of locality and substratum were also recorded. The specimens were identified by studying the morphology, anatomy and chemistry. The recent literature of Awasthi (1988, 1991 and 2000), Upreti (1988), Divakar (2001) and Nayaka (2004) was consulted for identification of most of the lichen taxa. The morphology of taxa was studied under stereo-zoom binocular microscope. Anatomical details of thallus and fruiting bodies were studied in free hand sections with water as mounting medium under compound microscope. The colour spot tests were carried out on cortex and medulla with the usual chemical reagents, such as aqueous potassium hydroxide (K), Steiner’s stable para-phenylenediamine (PD) and calcium hypochlorite(C).Thin layer chromatography was performed by the methods of Culberson (1972), Walker and James(1980) for lichen substances.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The diversity, distribution and optimum growth of lichens is affected by number of factors such as consistent availability of water, sunlight, moderate to cold temperature, unpolluted atmosphere, wind current, absence of biotic interferences and type of substratum. The lichen community of study area i.e Kargil district forms in general three types of special assemblages, species growing on tree trunks (Corticolous), on the rocks (Saxicolous) and on soil (Terricolous). A total of 25 species belonging to 13 genera and 8 families were enumerated from the area (Table-1). Out of these, 19 species are saxicolous whereas 4 are corticolous and 2 are terricolous. The abundance of saxicolous may be attributed to topography of the region which is mountainous with little or no vegetation cover and the area is also prone to soil erosion.The close proximity of water provides excellent moist habitat for the growth of many saxicolous lichen taxa that outnumber other types of lichen types. The lesser number of lichen species at site Site IV, Site V, and Site VI can be attributed to arid condition, high wind currents and comparatively more distance from water bodies .The sites rise directly exposed to sunlight. While on rest of sites i.e Site I , Site II, and Site III the high diversity and density can be due to close proximity with water , presence of shady places under huge rocks and short duration of sunlight exposure. Two growth forms of lichens– Crustose and Foliose represent the present study area. Out of these crustose represented by 17 species (68%) have marked dominance over foliose lichen represented by 8 species (32%). The members of family Lecanoraceae dominate the area followed by family Teloschinaceae and Acarosporaceae which were subsequently followed by family Hymeneliaceae and Verrucariaceae respectively. This record of lichen species may appear to be less but keeping in view the climatic conditions and poor, degraded and homogeneous vegetative cover of landscape, this number may be considered good and the area may be regarded as lichen rich area.

CONCLUSION
Thus it was clear from the study, that the occurrence of 25 lichen species can be attributed to topography of the region that provides feasible conditions for diverse lichen growth and survival. The present communication thus serves as baseline record regarding the level for conducting biomonitoring studies in future.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The authors are thankful to the Director, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow and Head, Department of Environmental Science, University of Jammu, Jammu for providing necessary laboratory facilities.

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