The global diversity of approximately 25,000 lichen species (e.g., from the genera
Usnea, Cladonia, and Peltigera), including rare and endangered ones, highlights the
importance of preserving their population in the State National Nature Park “Burabay”.
The objective of this study was to investigate the distribution of rare lichen species
in the territory of the State National Nature Park “Burabay,” located in the Akmola
region of Kazakhstan, in the period from 2018 to 2022, with a particular focus on
understanding how aridification may have influenced their presence and abundance.
In the course of the study, methods such as route expeditions, the comparative morphological
method, as well as some other special methods were used. The collection of information
to systematize the taxonomic composition of lichens (genera Lobaria, Rhizocarpon,
and Xanthoria) was carried out during route expeditions. The study identified 56 lichen
species, with a focus on rare and protected species. Established in 2000, the park's
rich biodiversity is showcased, including the discovery of three very rare species
(Dermatocarpon miniatum, Psora lurida, and Verrucaria nigrescens) and four species
requiring protection (Peltigera spuria, Cladonia coccifera, Haematomma ventosum, and
Caloplaca aurantiaca). These findings are significant, considering the absence of
data on these species since the 1982 Red Book of Kazakhstan (including genera such
as Lecanora, Lecidea, and Pertusaria). The sensitivity of lichens to environmental
changes (indicated by genera like Alectoria, Bryoria, and Cetraria) makes them ideal
for monitoring ecological health through a cost-effective method known as lichen indication.
The increase in the species count over the past five years (highlighting genera such
as Stereocaulon, Solorina, and Thamnolia) suggests effective conservation efforts
and underlines the park's ecological importance. The study's findings reveal that
aridification is reshaping lichen communities in the park, emphasizing their sensitivity
to climate change and the need for conservation strategies to address these changes
and ensure the preservation of lichen biodiversity in the face of global climate change.
The research contributes valuable data for future conservation planning and environmental
assessments in the region, emphasizing the need to protect diverse lichen genera (e.g.,
Evernia, Ramalina, and Parmotrema) for ecological monitoring and conservation.
