Effect of elevation gradient on the distribution of lichens and mosses of central Himalayan region, Uttarakhand, India

The present investigation aimed to determine the distribution pattern of 27 species of lichens and 7 species of mosses within five altitudinal bands between 3100-4000m near Badrinath area in the Central Himalaya. Melanelia infumata, Xanthoria elegans were the dominant among the lichens, whereas Bryum argenteum was dominant among mosses. The species diversity exhibits a distinct pattern at different altitudinal band. The number of both lichens and moss species decline towards the higher elevation gradient. The rock inhabiting species exhibit their dominance in higher altitude while soil inhabiting lichens dominates in the lower altitudes. The chlorolichens dominates all the sites in lower and higher elevation while cyanolichens have a restricted distribution in the area