Lichens Lichens - Scottish Natural Heritage

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Map showing the gradient of oceanicity across Europe Mucky Air Map - produced by school children, showing the polluted and cleaner air over Britain 17.5 20 22.5 25 27.5 30 32.5 35 35 32.5 30 27.5 25 Pure air Relatively clean air Moderate pollution Heavily polluted air 22.5 20 17.5 15 12.5 10 11
A ir as pure as wine? Most people are aware that lichens do not grow well where there is air pollution. They are like the canary down the coal mine - detecting air pollution at lower levels than many other organisms. In 1972 school children throughout Britain mapped lichens around their homes which helped produce the 'Mucky air map of Britain'. It revealed that the largest reservoirs of pure air are in Scotland, which, apart from Scotland's Midland Valley, appears to enjoy air as pure as wine. This is not quite the full story however. This goes to show that we must not be complacent about air pollution effects on <strong>Scottish</strong> lichens and assume that remoteness from sources will always protect them. But for the time being, areas north of the Highland Boundary Fault enjoy some of the cleanest air in Europe. Sulphur dioxide levels around Dundee in 1976 The school children's map reflected the distribution of sulphur dioxide to which virtually all lichens are sensitive. However there are several different types of air pollution. Despite a big drop in sulphur dioxide levels, acid rain which travels a lot further, is still affecting certain woodland lichens - for instance along the southern edge of the Highlands and the remoter areas of the Cowal peninsula. In addition, residents in the Cairngorms have reported up to five centimetres of highly-acidic, black snow falling several times a year. When it melts this produces a pulse of toxic water, but its effect on lichens is not known. A further cause of concern is increasing long-distance nitrogen pollution from sources associated with industry, transport and agriculture. 12 Sulphur dioxide levels around Dundee in 2000 SO2 pollution most least
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 and 16: W hat’s in a name? Many Scottish
Page 17: T he exceptional Scottish climate L
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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