Lichens of the Blair Atholl Limestone

Abstract

Saxicolous and terricolous lichen communities associated with the Blair Atholl limestone are described by reference to two main sites—the Meall Breac area and Tulach Hill (including Creag Odhar). Several rare arctic-alpine lichens occur in the Meall Breac area, including the first population of Cetraria nivalis to be found outside acidic lichen-moss heaths in Great Britain. Tulach Hill and Creag Odhar, in contrast, are at relatively low altitudes and more sheltered, supporting a range of species not normally seen in the Highlands. These communities, most of which lie in the anthropogenic zone that was formerly covered by woodland, are compared with those of major montane calcareous sites in Scotland that have always been above the tree line.