Lichen Substrate

Lichens in Kew Gardens occupy an exceptional diversity of substrates shaped by the array of habitats across the landscape. They colonize tree bark of varied chemistry—from acidic oak and birch to nutrient-richer lime and horse chestnut—supporting distinct assemblages of crustose and foliose species. Stonework, monuments, and brick structures host calcicolous communities, while older wooden bridges, benches, and decaying logs provide microhabitats for moisture-dependent taxa. Even soil, moss mats, and exposed roots act as secondary substrates. This mosaic of natural and built surfaces creates a dynamic ecological network where lichen diversity reflects substrate heterogeneity and environmental gradients.