Lichens of buttongrass (Gymnoschoenus) moorland in Tasmania

Abstract

Eighty-nine lichen species are recorded from buttongrass (Gymnoschoenus) moorland in Tasmania. Of these, lfypocenomyce australis, Ochro/echia frif<ida, Placynthium nigrum, Protohlastenia rupestris, Siphulastrum triste and Trapeliopsis colensoi are new records for Tasmania. Over 70% of the species have Southern Hemisphere distributions, analogous to that of the majority of the vascular flora. However, 25% of the species also occur in the Northern Hemisphere, mostly in ecologically related blanket bogs or moors. A preliminary classification of lichens in twelve broad moorland vegetation types is presented. Favoured habitats for lichens include peat, rotting sedge tussocks or stumps, loose stones and large rock outcrops. Although most moorland lichen species arc widespread in other Tasmanian vegetation formations, repeated, frequent fires are seen as a major threat to their long-term survival within the moorland ecosystem.