Lichens Distribution Pattern in Dry Rural Area of Malnad Region, Karnataka

The species diversity is significantly associated with forest structure and species composition of tropical forest communities. Humans have also been exploiting lichens and their substances for various purposes since long time and they area also act as Bioindicators. The main objective of the present study is to document the diversity and distribution pattern of lichen in the dry areas of Malnad region. In present communication we analysed diversity, distribution pattern of 29 species of lichens from tropical forests in Mallenahalli forest of Chikkamagaluru district. The study area covers moist and dry deciduous type of vegetation. From the present enumeration we recorded 17 macrolichen, and 12 microlichens species belongs to 17 genera and 15 families. Habitat specialization can account for the coexistence of lichen species in tropical forests. The members of families Parmeliaceae (7), Physciaceae (3), Pertusariaceae (3) exhibited the maximum species in the area. In our study, the foliose lichens were dominant, comprising 14 species followed by 12 species for crustose and three species for fruticose lichens.