Lichen Distribution in Milam Glacier Valley of Pithoragarh District in Uttarakhand, India

An enumeration of the diversity and distribution of lichens in Milam Glacier valley of Pithoragarh district in Uttarakhand is provided. The area shows an occurrence of 232 species of lichens belonging to 36 families and 73 genera. Parmehaceae with 18 genera and 49 species and Physciaceae with 7 genera and 26 species dominate the area. Among different growth forms of lichens, foliose comprises the highest number of 104 species, followed by 87 crustose lichens. The valley exhibits maximum number of bark and rock inhabiting lichens represented by 132 and 123 species respectively.