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Lichens are fungi that have evolved a specialized mode of nutrition, viz., symbiosis with a photosynthetic partner (either a green alga or a cyanobacterium, or sometimes with both). Lichens are primary colonisers in a number of plant successions and occur in a wide variety of habitats and landscapes from coastal rocks to the summit ridge of Mt Cook (Aoraki) at 3650 m. Although tolerant of a wide range of ecological conditions, lichens are extremely sensitive to atmospheric and terrestrial pollution and have an important use as biomonitors of environmental health and change. Lichens are important in grassland and forest ecosystems as a major nitrogen-fixers, acting as biological fertilizers and they have actual or potential value in processes of ecological repair and restoration.
New Zealand is noteworthy for the richness and diversity of its lichen mycobiota. Flora of New Zealand Lichens (Revised Second Edition), discusses 1706 taxa in 354 genera (310 are lichen-forming genera and 44 are lichenicolous). Keys to genera cover foliose, squamulose, fruticose, filamentous, placodioid, leprose, crustose, foliicolous and lichenicolous life forms. All genera have descriptions, and commentaries provide up-to-date references. Species descriptions discuss thalline, apothecial and chemical characters, and a biogeographical grouping is given (the New Zealand lichen mycobiota has 10 biogeographical elements). All names based on New Zealand material are typified, both homotypic and heterotypic synonyms are listed, and the provenance of type material is indicated when known. An index to accepted taxa and to synonyms is provided plus a bibliography. This book will be of interest to lichenologists in all countries and especially those of the Pacific region and temperate South America.
