부산대학교 도서관

Alpine ecosystems are important monitoring targets for examining climate-induced changes in biodiversity components. In this context, by following the protocol of the Global Observation Research Initiative in Alpine environments, two target regions (TR) were established in the mountainous regions of the Chaudans and Byans valleys of Uttarakhand. Lichens along with some vascular plants dominate alpine ecosystems and are known to play a pivotal role in ecosystems. Lichens are well known bioindicators of climatic conditions, hence the present study is focused on lichen diversity and distribution in selected TRs. We established 08 (04 in each TR) summits (covering different alpine zones from treeline to nival belt). The data sets regarding species richness, distribution, frequency, cover etc. were generated. We reported 30 species belonging to 25 genera and 17 families collected at eight alpine mountain summits in TR—I and II. With plans to monitor and resurvey at five-year intervals, the sites established in this project document current lichen species composition, and allow for a long-term assessment of changes in biodiversity attributable primarily to changes in climate. The dataset generated can be compared with the datasets of other high-altitude regions of the globe.