Saxicolous lichens of Tianshan No.1 Glacier in Xinjiang, China

Author:
Tumur A., Imin B., Richardson D.H.S. & Seaward M.R.D.
Year:
2024
Journal:
Herzogia
Pages:
37(2): 328–340
Url:
https://doi.org/10.13158/heia.37.2.2024.328
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Tianshan No.1 Glacier is located on the northern slope of the Tianger Peak, which is the source of the Urumqi River. It is an extremely fragile alpine ecosystem and provides important ecosystem services such as water conservation and biodiversity protection. Saxicolous lichens are dominant in this high alpine region, being closely associated with rock surfaces. In 2018 and 2023, surveys were undertaken to determine the distribution of the saxicolous lichen flora in relation to altitude throughout the glacier; the present study enumerates 84 species belonging to 18 genera and 12 families. The Lecanoraceae is the commonest family with 4 genera and 18 species, and the commonest genera were Rhizocarpon, Aspicilia, Lecidea, Acarospora, Rhizoplaca and Xanthoparmelia, which comprised 57 species (67.8 % of the total number of species). The largest number of saxicolous lichens (48 species) were found at altitudes from 3400 to 3500m. Changes in these numbers over the next decade should help us to document the impact of climate change on habitat alteration in this area. Key words: Global warming, climate change, glacial retreat, altitude, northwest China.
Id:
37590
Submitter:
zpalice
Post_time:
Wednesday, 29 January 2025 12:47