World Rural Observations 2010, 2(3) http://www.sciencepub.net/rural 84 Diversity of Potential lichens on Banj oak twigs in Banlekh forest of district Champawat, Kumaun Himalaya Balwant Kumar, * Lalit M. Tewari and Hemlata Kholia Department of Botany, D.S.B. Campus, Kumaun University, Nainital 263001 * corresponding author email: l_tewari@rediffmail.com Abstract: The Parmelioid lichens on Banlekh forest of Champawat (Uttarakhand) comprises 45-60%, Usnioid (Usneaceae 17-30% and Ramalinaceae 15-30%) found on different diameter class fallen twigs of Quercus leucotrichophora A. Camus (Banj oak). The study observed the twig diameter class 0-1 cm and 1.1-2 cm is excellent for the large thallus of the members of family Ramalinaceae. The villagers of the Banlekh area are not using these 15 potential lichens due to lack of information and knowledge. [Balwant Kumar, Lalit M. Tewari and Hemlata Kholia. Diversity of Potential lichens on Banj oak twigs in Banlekh forest of district Champawat, Kumaun Himalaya. World Rural Observations 2010;2(3):84-87]; ISSN: 1944-6543 (Print); ISSN: 1944-6551 (Online). http://www.sciencepub.net/rural . Key words: Lichen, oak twigs, livelihood, Champawat (Kumaun). Introduction The ecological and floristical study of Banlekh (Champawat) forest vegetation on lichens is not studied earlier. This group of plant is considered “difficult” by many botanists and is therefore often neglected and superficially treated. In the present work an attempt has been made for survey and study of potential lichens of Banlekh forest. Uttarakhand is rich in lichen diversity and about 500 spp out of which 158 species are reported from Kumaun Himalayan region of the state (Kumar, 2008). Kumar & Upreti (2008) also reported 12 species of lichens found on Quercus leucotrichophora (banj oak), 16 on Q. floribunda Wall. ex Rehder and 29 on Q. semecarpifolia Sm. twigs respectively form Chopta forest of Uttarakahnd. Sati, et al (1992) described 8 species of lichens supported by Q. leucotrichophora trees from Nainital Hill. Upreti & Chaterjee (1999) reported 20 species of lichens found on Q. leucotrichophora from Pithoragadh and Almora district of Kumaun Himalaya. The present study provides estimation of fallen twig lichens of Q. leucotrichophora in Kumaun Himalayas. The determination of the contribution of fallen twigs of oak trees, which were colonized by lichens and collected for commercial exploitation in most of the areas. Materials and Method: Study area The district Champawat constituted in the year 1997 is located between 29º5΄ and 29º30΄ in northern altitude and 79º55 and 80º3΄at the center of eastern longitude. The Ram Ganga River acts as a border between Champawat and Pithoragadh in north while Jabgura and Pannar rivers in south and west is a border between Champawat, U. S. Nagar and Almora districts simultaneously. The study area Banlekh of district Champawat Kumaun Himalaya is located at 1600m altitude (amsl). Total 68 twigs (fallen) samples of Q. leucotrichophora bearing lichens were collected from 100x100 meter area in the month of October 2009 to May 2010. The collected twigs were categorized into five diameter size classes of 0-1cm, 1.1-2cm, 2.1-3cm, 3.1-4cm and more than 4.1cm. The percentage contribution of lichen family Parmeliaceae, Usneaceae and Ramalinaceae growing on twigs of each class were measured. Results and discussion Fifteen species of six genera belonging to three families of lichens are recorded. Family Parmeliaceae (4 genera & 8 species), Usneaceae (single genera & 4 species) and Ramalinaceae (single genera and 3 species) respectively (Table 3). All five diameter class twigs of Q. leucotrichophora exhibit luxuriant growth of Parmelioid lichens together with fruticose forms of Usneaceae and Ramalinaceae (Usnioid). (i) Number of individuals of all three families lichen are found in abundant between twig diameter class 0-1cm and 1.1-2cm. (ii) Increasing diameter (>4.1cm) of the twigs indicating that all the epiphytic lichens required more space for their colonization (Table 1). (iii) Table 1 indicates that the smooth and thin (0-1 cm diameter) twigs are fall in large numbers (28 twigs) but thick twigs (>2cm diameter) are fall by chance. (iv) The contribution of Parmelioid (foliose forms) lichen on oak twigs ranges from 45.11 to 67.85 %, it is approximately triple of Usnioid (17.14 to 30.18% Usneaceae and 15.78 to 29.72% Ramalinaceae (Table 2). (v) Twigs of 0-1cm diameter class supported a good composion of Parmelioid, Usnioid lichens.