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Biodiversity & Conservation

Lichens—those subtle, symbiotic organisms composed of fungi and photosynthetic partners—are among the most overlooked components of biodiversity. Yet they are vital ecological indicators, contributors to nutrient cycles, and remarkable examples of evolutionary innovation. At the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, lichen conservation is emerging as a significant and expanding mission, woven into the broader goals of understanding and protecting global plant and fungal diversity.

Kew’s landscapes offer a mosaic of microhabitats that support an impressive range of lichen species, from vibrant Xanthoria colonies on sunlit branches to intricate crustose mosaics on stones of the Rock Garden. Although lichens occupy small spaces, they collectively create a rich tapestry of biodiversity that reflects both environmental history and present conditions. The conservation of these organisms at Kew is not simply about preserving beauty; it is about safeguarding the biological stories they tell—stories about air quality, ecosystem resilience, and the changing climate.

Potential Research

Comprehensive Lichen Inventory
Updating and verifying historical and contemporary lichen records across Kew’s landscapes, buildings, and collections.
Long-Term Change Analysis
Using Kew’s 150+ years of data to assess shifts in lichen diversity linked to air quality, climate change, and land management.
Urban and Semi-Natural Refugia
Identifying microhabitats within Kew that act as refuges for pollution-sensitive or rare lichen species.
Indicator Species and Air Quality
Developing lichen-based bioindicators to monitor environmental quality and urban ecological health.
Heritage–Biodiversity Interface
Studying lichens on historic structures to balance stone conservation with biological and ecological value.
Threatened and Declining Species
Assessing conservation status, drivers of decline, and protection strategies for vulnerable lichen taxa at Kew.
Functional and Ecological Roles
Investigating lichens’ contributions to nutrient cycling, microhabitats, and ecosystem resilience.
Climate Sensitivity and Adaptation
Evaluating species-specific responses to temperature, moisture, and extreme weather events.
DNA-Informed Taxonomy and Cryptic Diversity
Integrating molecular data with morphology to resolve species complexes and hidden diversity.
Ex Situ and Assisted Conservation Potential
Exploring the feasibility of living lichen collections, translocation, and conservation propagation.
Citizen Science and Public Engagement Research
Designing participatory projects to support data collection, awareness, and conservation literacy.
Digital Heritage and Data Integration
Linking herbarium records, field data, images, and maps into accessible digital platforms (e.g. KEWLICH).

Habitat Protection

One of the core components of lichen conservation at Kew is habitat protection and enhancement. Lichens depend on stable, undisturbed substrates, whether tree bark, aged stone, or soil crusts. As the arboretum matures, Kew’s focus on retaining old trees, fallen logs, and naturally weathering structures offers essential habitats for sensitive and slow-growing lichen species. Veteran trees, in particular, act as reservoirs of epiphytic diversity, hosting communities that may take decades to develop. The management approach increasingly emphasizes ecological continuity, ensuring that even as the landscape evolves, the microhabitats essential to lichens remain intact.

Terricolous Lichens

Terricolous lichens at Kew grow on soil in open areas, stabilising surfaces and reflecting moisture, disturbance, and management conditions.

Lichens on twigs

Lichens on twigs at Kew colonise young branches and fine bark, responding rapidly to light, humidity, and air quality conditions.

Saxicolous lichens

Saxicolous lichens at Kew grow on stone surfaces such as walls, monuments, pavements, and sculptures, reflecting substrate type, moisture, and light conditions.

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