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Summary The significance of the Scottish lichen flora is outlined within the context of the British Isles and Europe, prompting a cautionary note on an over-reliance of assessing conservation importance using national Red Data Book categorisations. The conservation needs of lichens and their habitats, from ‘gardening’ to landscape management are discussed.

Summary Atlantic Hazelwoods form a distinctive (yet apparently over-looked) habitat that appears to be unique to western Scotland and, to a lesser degree, western Ireland. The origins of this habitat appear to date from the early Holocene, and there is compelling evidence that some stands may have existed in unbroken succession for 10,000 years. Recognition of the potential relict status of some areas of hazel gradually emerged as a result of several decades of study of the lichen flora. The smooth bark of hazel in western Scotland is known to support a species-rich and specialised lichen community (the Graphidion), including rare, endemic and old woodland indicator species. However, the full expression of this community is found to occur only in certain stands: often coastal, with no (or very few) other trees or shrubs present, and with a long history, but with little evidence of intensive exploitation. Seeking further evidence to back up the relic status of these Atlantic Hazelwood stands proved elusive...

Summary A workshop in tropical forests of Khao Yai National Park on lichenized fungi, identified major components of the lichen flora on corticolous, foliicolous and saxicolous substrata. 161 taxa were recorded in three areas of the park including a riverine site on the Lam Takhong river, a montane forest at Khao Khieo and areas of tropical forest around the park headquarters. Species new to Thailand included foliicolous and corticolous species of equatorial forests, and others yet to be identified or described.

Summary The use of fungi, particularly macro-fungi, in culinary and medical activities is discussed, in addition to the early history of the cultivation of fungi for human consumption. Larger fungi have been utilized in the production of dyes, tinder, and fabric over many centuries and have been used also as a source of light and for deodorizing and fumigation. Difficulty is experienced in separating facts from folklore, but there is, as with lichens, a distinct reliance on the doctrine of signatures. Although lichens were widely used in a range of medicinal concoctions, some of which worked to a limited degree, their economic value has been greater in connection with textiles and cosmetics. They have also been an essential ingredient in the economy of the peoples in Arctic regions, as a fodder for reindeer.