This volume focuses on the interaction of lichens with their substrate, environment and their biogeographic effects. In seventeen chapters thirty-eight authors present recent findings and developments in systematics, biodiversity, floristic studies and ecology, as well as newly described taxa, and keys to the identification of Caloplaca and xanthorioid lichens. Molecular phylogenetic analyses of several groups and genera are presented, resulting in an improved systematics of, for example, Caloplaca, Cladonia, Collema and xanthorioid lichens. The genera Arthonia and Usnea in Greece (with key) are reviewed. The volume is dedicated to Prof. Hans Martin Jahns on the occasion of his 70th birthday, featuring papers on some of his favourite fields of research, among them lichen interactions with their substrate and environment and lichen biogeography. A brief biography of Jahns, highlighting his contributions to lichenology, is included in the chapter on the nine Presidents of the International Association for Lichenology. Jahns played an important role during the past 40 years with his highly influential book, co-authored by Aino Henssen, entitled Lichenes. Eine Einführung in die Flechtenkunde. He is well-known for his extensive work and numerous publications on lichen morphology and ontogeny, particularly the development of fruiting bodies in different genera.

In September 2015, a scientific conference was held in Graz, Austria, to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Josef Poelt's death. This scientist was one of the most renowned botanists of the last century who worked on many groups of lower plants, fungi and especially lichens. Of the contributions at the conference, 25 have been worked out and are presented in this book. They have been written mainly by former doctoral students of Josef Poelt or their scholars, or by some of his colleagues with whom he had cooperated. In the first contribution, a description of Josef Poelt's life and scientific career, his fields of study, his colleagues, important research trips, his scientific oeuvre and its approval within the scientific community is given. This paper also gives a list of Poelt's doctoral students and the many fields they worked on. In the second contribution, an overview of the history and development of cryptogamic research is presented in view of more and more refined analysis techniques and the resulting outcome. These two reviews are followed by a series of papers on taxonomical, ecological and applied aspects of saprobic, symbiotic or parasitic fungi, or of lichens, respectively. The papers are based on classical, ecological, geographical as well as molecular studies and offer insight into the distribution or into the phylogeny and taxonomy of selected groups of fungi and lichens. A few papers stress aspects on the state of research of groups of organisms in special regions of the world, while others deal with the state of research from a historical point of view. The final contribution deals with phylogenetic aspects in mosses. The more than 700-page book is complemented by many informative illustrations, schemes and images.

Includes "Lichens of the boreal coniferous zone" by Teuvo Ahti.

This book discusses in detail molecular, mycobiont culture, biomonitoring and bioprospection of lichens, providing insights into advances in different fields of lichenology by applying modern techniques and approaches and examining how their application has enhanced or changed classical approaches. It offers a valuable resource, especially for beginners, students and researchers from different academic backgrounds interested in the study of lichens. In recent years, the introduction of modern analytical techniques and approaches has significantly improved our understanding of the environment, including lichens. Lichens are unique organisms which possess untapped potential as effective and reliable bioindicators, sources of therapeutic phytochemicals, and as excellent extremophiles. The unique and peculiar characteristics of lichens underline the need for a multidimensional approach to explore their potential in various fields of environment science, botany and chemistry. Modern techniques, especially molecular techniques, have greatly enriched the field of lichen taxonomy and its position in the plant kingdom, revealing little-known species and exploring their evolutionary history, while multivariate analysis and GIS approaches have established lichens as an ideal and reliable tool for monitoring air pollution. Advanced culture techniques have expanded the pharmacological applications of lichens, which was formerly restricted due to their small biomass. The advent of sophisticated analytical instrumentation has now facilitated the isolation and characterization of lichens’ bioactive constituents, even in lower concentrations, as well as the estimation of their stress responses at different levels of pollution. As lichen diversity is adversely affected by increasing air pollution, there is a pressing need to develop effective management practices to conserve, restore and document lichen diversity.

This book discusses in detail molecular, mycobiont culture, biomonitoring and bioprospection of lichens, providing insights into advances in different fields of lichenology by applying modern techniques and approaches and examining how their application has enhanced or changed classical approaches. It offers a valuable resource, especially for beginners, students and researchers from different academic backgrounds interested in the study of lichens. In recent years, the introduction of modern analytical techniques and approaches has significantly improved our understanding of the environment, including lichens. Lichens are unique organisms which possess untapped potential as effective and reliable bioindicators, sources of therapeutic phytochemicals, and as excellent extremophiles. The unique and peculiar characteristics of lichens underline the need for a multidimensional approach to explore their potential in various fields of environment science, botany and chemistry. Modern techniques, especially molecular techniques, have greatly enriched the field of lichen taxonomy and its position in the plant kingdom, revealing little-known species and exploring their evolutionary history, while multivariate analysis and GIS approaches have established lichens as an ideal and reliable tool for monitoring air pollution. Advanced culture techniques have expanded the pharmacological applications of lichens, which was formerly restricted due to their small biomass. The advent of sophisticated analytical instrumentation has now facilitated the isolation and characterization of lichens’ bioactive constituents, even in lower concentrations, as well as the estimation of their stress responses at different levels of pollution. As lichen diversity is adversely affected by increasing air pollution, there is a pressing need to develop effective management practices to conserve, restore and document lichen diversity.

A broad-ranging review of organisms which have long-fascinated biologists, ecologists and chemists.

Based on the acclaimed reference Lichens of North America, this resource for the classroom, field, and laboratory presents updated and expanded keys for the identification of over 2,000 species of lichens indigenous to the continent, twice the number covered by previous keys. The book includes a glossary illustrated with photographs by Sylvia Duran Sharnoff and Stephen Sharnoff and drawings by Susan Laurie-Bourque, all from the original book. The revised keys are an indispensable identification tool for botanists, students, scientists, and enthusiasts alike.--COVER.