A study records over 20 lichen species at Kochi’s Subhash Chandra Bose Park

 The Subhash Chandra Bose Park, one of Kochi’s key green spaces, sprawling across 11.5-acres, is a lichen hotspot. A recent study carried out by the Nature Club and Department of Botany of Maharaja’s College along with the Bhoomitrasena Club of Sree Sankara College, Kalady, recorded over 20 species of lichens at the park. 

The study, done as part of a biodiversity documentation exercise, recorded lichens growing on the bark of several tree species. A complex organism formed from a symbiotic relationship between a fungus an algae or cyanobacterium, lichens are often mistaken for fungi. They sometimes appear as mold and are easily overlooked.

Biomonitoring agents

But lichens play a vital role as biomonitoring agents. Owing to their sensitivity to air pollution and their capacity for carbon sequestration, they act as air quality indicators, says Stephen Sequeira, associate professor of Botany, Maharaja’s College, and a specialist in lichen taxonomy and ecology, under whose guidance the study was conducted. 

One of the lichens recorded at Subhash Chandra Bose Park
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

“No formal lichen survey has been done within city limits. This study revealed a wealth of lichen growth and this highlights the ecological significance of the area. After Managalavanam, which is considered Kochi’s green lung, Subhash Park, with its abundance of indigenous trees, can surely be considered an important urban oasis,” says Stephen. The study also provides valuable baseline data for future environmental monitoring and biodiversity conservation initiatives, he adds.

The lichen genera documented during the study includes Pyxine cocoes, Dirinaria, Porina, Graphis, Arthonia, Cryptothecia, Pyrenula, Lepraria, Pertusaria, Sarcographa Diorygma, Candelaria, Felhaneria, etc. These lichens were observed on trees such as Roystonea regia, Bougainvillea, Crescentia cujete, Wodyetia bifurcata (foxtail palm), Saraca asoca, Ficus benjamina, Mimusops elengi, Mangifera indica, Ficus religiosa, Ficus benjamina, Phyllanthus emblica, Bauhinia variegata, Swietenia macrophylla, Terminalia arjuna, Peltophorum, Pongamia glabra, Artocarpus, Polyalthia longifolia, Araucaria, Thuja and Livistona. 

The team that carried out the study
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The study team included Arun Christy, a research scholar working under Stephen, students and members of the Nature clubs and faculty members of the Department of Botany — Mathew Steephan, Jess Mary James, Shanti Vasudevan, Benoy Thomas, and Ajith Kumar. 

This study is only a preliminary survey based on initial observations. More lichen species could be identified from the area if a detailed lichenological study is conducted, says Stephen, adding that similar surveys will be carried out in other parts of the city as well. 

The programme was carried out with the permission of the Centre for Heritage, Environment and Development (C-HED), the research and development wing of the Kochi Municipal Corporation.