Lichen diversity of Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary and adjacent areas of Himachal Pradesh, India

Authors

  • Anupma Devi Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap, Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR–HRDC Campus, Kamla Nehru Nagar, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201002, India.
  • Gaurav K. Mishra Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Rana Pratap, Marg, Lucknow, 226001, India.
  • Manjoosha Srivastava Phytochemistry, CSIR - National Botanical Research Institute (CSIR-NBRI), Pharmacognosy, Phytochemistry and Product Development Division, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226002, India. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8772-6159

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.10608.18.8.29493-29506

Keywords:

Ascomycetes, biodiversity, biomonitoring, climate change, corticolous, lichenized fungi, Indian mycota, parmeliaceae, taxonomy, western Himalaya

Abstract

Himachal Pradesh supports a rich diversity of both cryptogams and phanerogams including lichens owing to its diverse physiography, climatic heterogeneity and wide elevational range. However, several protected areas including Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) remain unexplored for lichen diversity. The present study provides the first systematic inventory of the lichen biota of CWS based on approximately 230 specimens collected during field surveys conducted in 2024. A total of 102 species belonging to 42 genera and 16 families were identified, including the description of 15 lichen species reported for the first time from the state. The study highlights CWS as an important reservoir of western Himalayan lichen diversity and emphasize the need for continued floristic surveys in protected areas.

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Published

26-08-2026

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 8 (2026)

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Copyright (c) 2026 Anupma Devi, Gaurav K. Mishra, Manjoosha Srivastava

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