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Tracing the dynamics of urban lichens at Kew to advance understanding of biodiversity, environmental change, and ecological resilience.
What Is Lichen Ecology?
Definition, scope, and importance.
Substrates in Kew
Substrates in Kew
Rocks, bark, soil, historic structures, and microhabitats.
Symbiosis and Functional Roles
Symbiosis and Functional Roles
Ecological roles of fungi, algae, and cyanobacteria.
Moisture, Light, and Microclimate
How environmental factors shape lichen distribution.
Air Quality and Pollution Sensitivity
Air Quality and Pollution Sensitivity
Lichens as bioindicators of clean and polluted air.
Species Interactions
Species Interactions
Competition, secondary symbioses, and relationships with invertebrates.
Nutrient Cycling and Soil Formation
Nutrient Cycling and Soil Formation
Roles in weathering, nutrient inputs, and ecosystem processes.
Lichens in Woodlands, Grasslands, and Urban Areas of Kew
Lichens in Woodlands, Grasslands, and Urban Areas of Kew
Ecological contrasts across different garden landscapes.
Seasonal and Long-term Ecological Change
Seasonal and Long-term Ecological Change
Phenology, climate influence, and monitoring trends.
Conservation and Management at Kew
Conservation and Management at Kew
Protection, monitoring, and importance for biodiversity.
Future Research and Citizen Science
Future Research and Citizen Science
Ongoing studies, public involvement, and new tools.
Lichen ecology in the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew reflects the interaction of diverse substrates, microclimates, and long-term environmental change. With over 180 recorded species, Kew hosts a dynamic mosaic of crustose, foliose, and fruticose lichens thriving on historic stonework, ancient trees, ornamental structures, and garden landscapes. These communities act as sensitive indicators of air quality, moisture regimes, and habitat continuity. The variety of substrates—from limestone and sandstone to historic brick and living bark—supports specialist taxa, while shaded and sunlit microhabitats promote ecological differentiation. Together, these factors make Kew a uniquely valuable setting for studying urban lichen diversity, ecological succession, and the responses of lichens to pollution recovery and climate shifts.
Lichen Substrate
Lichen Substrate
Kew Gardens hosts an exceptional diversity of substrates that support a rich lichen flora, ranging from historic limestone, sandstone, travertine, and granite structures to cast iron, historic brickwork, old trees, soil, and artificial garden elements. This mosaic of natural and built surfaces creates a wide variety of microhabitats, allowing both specialist and generalist lichens to thrive. Substrate diversity is a key driver of Kew’s overall lichen richness and ecological complexity.
Limestone
Sandstone
Granite
Cast Iron
Wood
Historic brick
Granite
Travertine
Biodterioration
Biodterioration
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