Diversity of Saxicolous Lichens across the Marine Protected Area, West coast, Gujarat

Bhasker Punjani; Jayesh Raval; Sanjeeva Nayaka; Dalip Kumar Upreti

Bhasker Punjani P.G. Centre in Botany, Smt. S. M. Panchal Science College, Talod-383215, Gujarat, India.
Jayesh Raval Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan-384265, Gujarat, India.
Sanjeeva Nayaka Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Dalip Kumar Upreti Lichenology Laboratory, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow-226001, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Abstract

From 2015 to 2018, extensive surveys were conducted in the Marine National Park and Sanctuary (MNPS) of the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat, India, focusing on saxicolous lichens in coastal habitats. The MNPS may be collectively called marine protected area (MPA). A total of 138 samples were collected, with 83 from coastal areas and 55 from islands, resulting in the identification of 32 lichen species across 19 genera and 11 families. Notably, Phylliscum indicum was found on both natural and artificial substrates. The study added 17 new saxicolous species to the state’s records and highlighted the unique lichen communities in these coastal environments. The findings provide a baseline for future bio-monitoring, serve as bioindicators for conservation, and suggest potential applications in medicine and industry, particularly in monitoring atmospheric heavy metal contamination.

Keywords: Coastal rocks, Gujarat, MNPS, Saxicolous lichens, West coast, India.

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