Diversity and Distribution of Lichens in and Around Nainital City (Uttarakhand) India

An enumeration of 105 species of lichens belonging to 48 genera and 21 families recorded in and around Nainital city in the Uttarakhand is provided. The localities around the city centre exhibit scarce growth of lichens as compared to the localities situated in the outskirts. The Snow View and Kilbury localities situated in the outskirts of the city have maximum diversity of lichens represented by 34 and 28 species respectively. The Ayarpatta and D.S.B. campus area in the centre of the city have 19 and 9 species respectively. Among the different trees Quercus supports the maximum growth of lichens. Lichen genera Heterodermia with eight species and Caloplaca and Lecanora with seven species each showed their dominance in the area. Lichen families Parmellaceae with eleven genera Physclaceae with eight genera are the dominant families in the area.