NBRI - Lichenology

Lichenology

Dr. D. K. Upreti Scientist F	Phone no. 91-522-2205831-35 Ext. 850	dk.uprati@nbri.res.in
Dr. Sanjeeva Nayaka Scientist C	Phone no. 91-522-2205831-35 Ext. 850	sanjeeva_n@nbri.res.in

Group works on

The taxonomy of Indian lichens including monographic, revisionary and floristic studies, survey and assessment of lichen diversity in different Phytogeographical regions of India. Other aspects covered are as follows:

Ethnobotanical studies on lichens utilized by the different ethnic groups of India.
Studies on lichens growing on different Indian monuments, buildings and causing damage to them.
Epiphytic lichens of different forest types for biomonitoring studies.
Environmental pollution monitoring studies.
Morphotaxonomic and heavy metal accumulation studies on Antarctic lichens.
Antibiotic properties of lichen substances.

Leptogium pedicellatum

Objectives

To get better acquaintance of Indian lichen flora by studying morphology, anatomy, chemistry and ecology,
To conduct various studies utilizing lichen.

Achievements

About 2000 species of lichen from the Indian subcontinent are well worked out and details of their morphology, phytogeography and ecology are available.
Lichen herbarium consists of more than a lakh specimens, including the personal collection of Dr. D. D. Awasthi (AWAS) and Lucknow University (LWU), representing almost all the phytogeographical regions of India.

The herbarium consists of 100 type specimens, exsiccates from different European herbaria, excellent material of Pyrenocarpous lichens, lichens of East Antarctica, Andaman Islands and The Himalayas.
More than about 50 new species of pyrenocarpous lichens are described from this laboratory.

The laboratory is pioneer in India conducting air pollution studies utilizing lichens, working on the Antarctic lichens, lichens of historical monuments and anti-fungal properties of lichen substances.
The laboratory has the honour of being first in participating in the Indian Antarctica expedition (1991-92), for lichenological investigation in East Antarctica.

Usnea stigmatoidea

Global Contributions: India is a center of high level of lichen diversity in the world. A detailed account of vulnerable lichens from this area was provided to the International Association of Lichenology Committee for conservation of lichens (IALCC), Sweden, in developing a "Global Red List of Lichens"

Heterodermia diademata

Publications

About 200 research papers and four books regarding Indian lichenology have been published.

Outputs

Achievements

Technologies

Patents Granted

Patents Filed

Awards

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