LICHEN ECOLOGY ON ST-KILDA

The lichen flora of St Kilda, the remotest island group in the British Isles, is discussed with emphasis on its ecology. The islands are thought to be of national scientific importance for their oceanic lichen communities. Particularly noteworthy are an exceptionally rich lichen flora associated with seabird colonies; Lobarion developed on cliffs; and in grassland, the maintenance of rich terricolous communities is related to sheep grazing, which may have been continuous for over a thousand years. Notes on the 194 species recorded are provided. This number is considerably larger than those reported from other remote Scottish islands despite the absence of trees and a scarcity of lignicolous habitats. © 1979, British Lichen Society. All rights reserved.