Lichens
Lichens of the Avalon Marshes
As an area that constantly underwent disturbance for many years while it was an industrial site and peat was being extracted from a huge area, it is not surprising that the area is not one of the lichen hotspots of the south-west. There is no appreciable occurrence of rocky outcrops and no real “veteran” trees to give the continuity of habitat that lichens rely on. It does, however, support lichens and one of RoAM’s activities over the next few years is to catalogue those species we do have.
Elf Ears Lichen
One of the most exciting finds so far has been that of Normandina pulchella, the Elf Ears Lichen. This is more often found in the more humid valleys of Dartmoor and Exmoor. On Shapwick NNR, it grows in association with a liverwort, Frullania dilatata which grows on the trunks of Ash and Willow trees on the reserve. It is thought that the liverwort leaves provide a humid micro-climate where the Normandina can flourish. It will be interesting to see what else we can find as we explore lichens in the area.
Important new surveys
Become a member of RoAM and help us to record this fascinating lichen. And learn all about other peatland lichens that might be hiding on the reserves.