Biodiversity & Conservation

Lichen communities probably represent an important source of primary productivity and refuge in the otherwise harsh and barren environment of supralittoral rock. Fletcher (1980) considered rocky shores to be one of the most important habitats for lichens in Britain since almost 450 species of lichen inhabit the littoral and supralittoral rocks around Britain, representing about one third of the lichen flora of Britain, Lichen communities harbour a diverse invertebrate fauna that could potentially provide food for insectivorous birds (e.g. rock pipit). However, little other information was found.

Lichens have been collected in the past for the manufacture of dyes, e.g. Ochrolechia parella. Collection of lichens to prepare lichen-dyed tweed has largely stopped (Richardson & Young, 1977), Lichens have also been used as food or for the manufacture of dyes, perfumes and medicines in various parts of the world in the past (Richardson & Young, 1977; Gilbert 2000).

Lichens have proved to be important indicators of air quality, although primarily in terrestrial ecosystems (James & Syratt, 1987; Richardson, 1992; NHM, 2002).

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