Lichens Lichens - Scottish Natural Heritage

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Tree Lungwort (Lobaria pulmonaria) on an oak tree near Arisaig Heather-rags (Hypogymnia physodes) growing on a blanket bog in North Uist 9 11
T he exceptional <strong>Scottish</strong> climate Lying on the western seaboard of Europe, in the track of the Atlantic depressions, Scotland has a climate that is unique in Europe. It is described as extreme oceanic i.e. it is influenced by the surrounding seas. The diagram opposite shows how even the Scandinavian fjords, Brittany, Cornwall and Wales have lower oceanicity scores. High values indicate a combination of extreme humidity, abundant rainfall and number of rain days (days when rain falls), persistent cloudiness, cool summers and mild winters. The Gulf Stream helps to make the climate warmer with the result that along the west coast there are numerous sites, such as Inverewe Gardens, where palm trees flourish. Woodland lichens which grow best in, or require, a mild, wet climate thrive here. Oak woods bordering the western sea lochs are 'dripping' with lichens that are rare in Europe as a whole. A number of these lichens are endemic to Scotland which means they occur nowhere else in the world. The unusual climate affects all lichen communities. The mountains in the west experience a lower snow cover than those elsewhere and their rocks are so continuously wet that lichen species normally restricted to damp rock are ubiquitous. The wet ground favours peat formation so some flat areas are covered with a community known as blanket bog. The sodden moorland that results has its own suite of very beautiful lichens which can be seen beside trackways or around the margins of disused peat cuttings. These include clumps of reindeer lichens, patches of pixie-cup and horn lichens (Cladonia species). 10
Page 1 and 2: Lichens naturally scottish There ar
Page 3 and 4: © Scottish Natural Heritage 2004 I
Page 5 and 6: Foreword Whilst Scotland's outstand
Page 7 and 8: VIII Lichen-covered oak trees at Ar
Page 9 and 10: 2 Orange Sea Star (Caloplaca verruc
Page 11 and 12: H ow lichens multiply and disperse
Page 13 and 14: 6 Inside a Harris tweed factory wit
Page 15: W hat’s in a name? Many Scottish
Page 19 and 20: A ir as pure as wine? Most people a
Page 21 and 22: I mportant habitats for lichens T h
Page 23 and 24: The best lichen sites are on sunny,
Page 25 and 26: C aledonian pinewoods It is a myth
Page 27 and 28: Hazel stems covered in mosses, live
Page 29 and 30: A lpines galore Only a tiny fractio
Page 31 and 32: 24 The rare Goblin Lights (Catolech
Page 33 and 34: T he coast Several features combine
Page 35 and 36: Lichen heath in the stabilized dune
Page 37 and 38: B lanket bog Most level ground in t
Page 39 and 40: C onservation It should be clear by
Page 41 and 42: B iodiversity Action Plan and the R
Page 43 and 44: F inding out more about lichens Lis
Page 45 and 46: Also in the Naturally Scottish seri

Lichens Lichens - Scottish Natural Heritage

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