Research Article | Published: 07 January 2026

Assessment of lichen diversity and distribution in Similipal National Park, Odisha

Bijayananda Sahoo, Shubham Pradhan, Satyabrata Dash and Biswajit Rath

Indian Journal of Forestry | Volume: 48 | Issue: 4 | Page No. 300-309 | 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2026-KPR1P6 | Cite this article

Abstract

This study explores the diversity and distribution of lichens within the Similipal National Park (SNP) in Odisha. The research examines how lichens in the SBR can serve as indicators of habitat variability. Various forms of lichens were sampled from different sites of SNP, distributed across the Mega-habitat. Result indicated the occurrence of 88 species of different forms of lichens under 47 genera, which belong to 23 families. The collected lichen species are inhabited on substratum like tree barks, rocks, throughout the transition, buffer, and core zones. The lichen families Graphidaceae and Parmeliaceae are dominant in different vegetation zones. The families such as Physciaceae, Caliciaceae, Trypetheliaceae, Arthoniaceae, and Pyrenulaceae are distributed to limited genera but enriched at the species level. Likewise, Arthonia, Cryptothecia, and Herpothallon   (Arthoniaceae), Lecanora (Lecanoraceae), Pertusaria (Pertusariaceae), Lepraria (Ramalinaceae), Buellia (Caliciaceae), and Graphis (Graphidaceae) are the most predominantly and uniformly distributed lichen genera to SNP. This essential information on the distribution of lichen species is useful for conservation and monitoring efforts. Extensive survey and mapping are under progress which may reveal a greater number of new and novel species at different locations within SNP harbouring rich bio resources.

Keywords

Distribution, diversity, host, lichen, SNP

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How to cite

Sahoo, B., Pradhan, S., Dash, S. and Rath, B., 2025. Assessment of lichen diversity and distribution in Similipal National Park, Odisha. Indian Journal of Forestry, 48(4), pp.300-309. https://doi.org/10.54207/bsmps1000-2026-KPR1P6

Publication History

Manuscript Received on 20 December 2024

Manuscript Revised on 10 December 2025

Manuscript Accepted on 16 December 2025

Manuscript Published on 07 January 2026

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