Lichens
Lichens are a fascinating partnership between fungi and algae. They can be found growing on various surfaces, including tree trunks, branches, rocks, and soil. There are many species of lichens found across different habitats and climates, and most are highly adapted to survive in environments that are lacking in nutrients. Lichens are considered an indicator species, meaning they can provide valuable information about environmental conditions. Most lichens will not grow where the air is polluted, so if we find them, we know the air quality is good.
Churchyards can support more than 100 species of lichens, due to the range of different rock types present across the gravestones and church buildings. Lichens display a wide range of shapes, colours, and growth sizes. A particularly bright lichen is Variospora flavescens, seen in the first picture. This deep-coloured, orangey-yellow lichen is often found on gravestones within churchyards. The second picture features another common, though less brightly coloured, graveyard lichen known as Porpidia tuberculosa. This lichen is harder to spot and can easily be mistaken for the gravestone itself. Lichens, like many other organisms, face conservation challenges due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. Monitoring and conservation efforts help to ensure the survival of lichen species and the important functions they perform within the environment.