The Lichens

The Lichens

Author: Vernon Ahmadijian

Publisher: Elsevier

Published: 2012-12-02

Total Pages: 712

ISBN-13: 0323143091

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The Lichens covers the structure and development, physiology of the intact thallus, environmental response and effects, secondary metabolic products, and symbiont interactions of lichens. This book is divided into five parts encompassing 19 chapters. It also includes appendices consist of a taxonomic scheme, methods for isolating and culturing lichen symbionts and thalli, and methods for isolating and identifying lichen substances. The first part of this book describes the original fungal cell and its development into specialized cells of which the various tissues and thalli are composed. This is followed by discussions on sexual reproduction of ascolichens and basidiolichens and on systematic criteria for the definition of taxa in different hierarchical steps. This book also explains the types of propagules produced by lichens and the submicroscopical investigations of lichens, including phycobiont and mycobionts' substructure and symbiotic relationship. The second part of this book examines the physiological aspects of lichens. It includes discussions on metal cation uptake and translocation in vascular plants and on lichens' role in rock weathering and soil formation. This part also studies photosynthetic rates and nitrogen absorption and metabolism by the intact thallus of lichens. Succeeding chapters discuss physiological and morphological responses of lichens to the most important environmental factors and the relationship of these factors to lichen distribution. Substrate preferences of lichens and their causes and implications with regard to the ecology, distribution, and taxonomy of lichens are also examined. This text also discusses lichen thalli growth, methods of measurement, and factors influencing growth. Finally, the concluding parts deal with the biosynthesis of lichen substances, secondary metabolic products, and symbiotic relations of lichens to fungi and algae. This multi-authored book is an ideal source of information for researchers, teachers, and students who wish to broaden their knowledge in the diversity of lichenology.


The Lichen Symbiosis

The Lichen Symbiosis

Author: Vernon Ahmadjian

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 1993-08-30

Total Pages: 274

ISBN-13: 9780471578857

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Not only an invaluable reference to what is known about lichen bionts and their interactions but also a guide to future studies. Compares various aspects of lichen-forming bionts with those of other fungi, algae and cyanobacteria. Features in-depth descriptions of culture methods. Includes over 1000 references representing a selective sampling in such subjects as air pollution, photosynthesis and respiration.


Biology of Polar Bryophytes and Lichens

Biology of Polar Bryophytes and Lichens

Author: R. E. Longton

Publisher: CUP Archive

Published: 1988-11-10

Total Pages: 406

ISBN-13: 9780521250153

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Considers the evolution and adaptions of arctic and antarctic floras and the role of these plants in the vegetation and in the functioning of tundra ecosystems.


Lichen Physiology and Cell Biology

Lichen Physiology and Cell Biology

Author: D. H. Brown

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 362

ISBN-13: 1461325277

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It is currently impossible to grow lichens under controlled conditions in the laboratory in sufficient quantity for physiological experiments. Lichen growth is slow and conditions which might accelerate the process tend to favour either the algal or fungal partner, resulting in the breakdown of balance symbiosis. Lichen physiologists are therefore forced to use field-grown material with all the problems associated with the unknown influences of unpredictable and unreproducible climatic conditions. Study of major biochemical topics, such as the nature of the carbohydrate and nitrogenous compounds passing between the symbionts, is less influenced by climatic conditions than the intrinsic nature of the symbionts and many advances have been made in these areas. Recently, the challenge of using field-grown plant material, the physiological status of which is intimately linked to environmental conditions, has proved to be a stimulus rather than a hindrance to a number of research groups. The occurrence of lichens in extreme habitats has prompted a number of field and laboratory studies with material from such diverse localities as the cold deserts of Antarctica and the temperate rain forests of the New Zealand bush. A comparative approach, using contrasted species or habitats from a particular geographical region has yielded much information and an appreciation of the variety of physiological adaptations which may exist. The close linkage between morphology and physiology is now being directly demonstrated, as is the relevance of ultrastructural information.


Lichens to Biomonitor the Environment

Lichens to Biomonitor the Environment

Author: Vertika Shukla

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2013-08-23

Total Pages: 195

ISBN-13: 8132215036

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The book embodies the detailed account about unique symbionts i.e. LICHENS in ecosystem monitoring. The first chapter deals with unique characteristics features of lichens which facilitate their survival in extreme climates and makes them an ideal organism for ecosystem monitoring. Biosynthesis of secondary metabolites are known to protect lichens against increasing environmental stresses therefore second chapter provides insight into various chromatographic and modern spectroscopic techniques involved in separation and characterization of lichen substances. The third chapter elaborates the criteria for selection of biomonitoring species and characters of host plant that influences lichen diversity and details about different lichen species utilized for biomonitoring. One can retrieve preliminary information about the air quality based on the lichen community structure and distribution of bioindicator species as lichen communities/indicator species provides valuable information about the natural/anthropogenic induced changes in the microclimate and land-use changes due to human activity. Therefore, for identification of species, a key to genera and species provides concise information to identify the lichen species based on their morphological and anatomical characters and chemicals present. Keys provided in Chapter 4 will help the beginners to identify some common lichen species based on the distribution in different climatic zones of India. The section also provides comprehensive information about the bioindicator communities and bioindicator species from India. Chapter 5 provides the details of factors affecting the ecosystem (natural as well as anthropogenic disturbances) and role of lichens in ecosystem monitoring in India has been discussed in detail. Chapter 6 discusses the need and utility of indicator species especially lichen biomonitoring data in sustainable forest management and conservation. The content about lichens in biomonitoring will be a valuable resource for researchers from different fields and will provide an essential reference for people interested in lichens and its role in ecosystem monitoring. The book will also hopefully popularize lichenological studies in India and will generate more active participation of lichen biomonitoring studies in management and conservation of natural resources in India.


Monitoring with Lichens - Monitoring Lichens

Monitoring with Lichens - Monitoring Lichens

Author: Pier Luigi Nimis

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2012-12-06

Total Pages: 395

ISBN-13: 9401004234

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A comprehensive, up-to-date review of lichens as biomonitors of air pollution (bioindication, metal and radionuclide accumulation, biomarkers), and as monitors of environmental change (including global climate change and biodiversity loss) in a wide array of terrestrial habitats. Several methods for using lichens as biomonitors are described in a special section of the book.


Recent Advances in Lichenology

Recent Advances in Lichenology

Author: Dalip Kumar Upreti

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2014-12-18

Total Pages: 273

ISBN-13: 8132221818

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This book discusses in detail molecular, mycobiont culture, biomonitoring and bioprospection of lichens, providing insights into advances in different fields of lichenology by applying modern techniques and approaches and examining how their application has enhanced or changed classical approaches. It offers a valuable resource, especially for beginners, students and researchers from different academic backgrounds interested in the study of lichens. In recent years, the introduction of modern analytical techniques and approaches has significantly improved our understanding of the environment, including lichens. Lichens are unique organisms which possess untapped potential as effective and reliable bioindicators, sources of therapeutic phytochemicals, and as excellent extremophiles. The unique and peculiar characteristics of lichens underline the need for a multidimensional approach to explore their potential in various fields of environment science, botany and chemistry. Modern techniques, especially molecular techniques, have greatly enriched the field of lichen taxonomy and its position in the plant kingdom, revealing little-known species and exploring their evolutionary history, while multivariate analysis and GIS approaches have established lichens as an ideal and reliable tool for monitoring air pollution. Advanced culture techniques have expanded the pharmacological applications of lichens, which was formerly restricted due to their small biomass. The advent of sophisticated analytical instrumentation has now facilitated the isolation and characterization of lichens’ bioactive constituents, even in lower concentrations, as well as the estimation of their stress responses at different levels of pollution. As lichen diversity is adversely affected by increasing air pollution, there is a pressing need to develop effective management practices to conserve, restore and document lichen diversity.