Staff Profiles
Dr Brian Coppins, Senior Lichenologist
Dr Christopher Ellis, Ecologist, Lichenologist
Dr Joe Hope, Lichenologist
Ms Louise Olley, Assistant Curator
Dr Rebecca Yahr, Research Fellow

Research Highlights
Major contributions from the lichen-lab

Research Themes
• Lichen Taxonomy and Species Inventory
• Climate Change and Lichen Biodiversity
• Community Ecology - species composition and richness
• Biogeography:
AAAHistorical Lichenology

Student Projects
Recent Research Projects

Useful Links
British Lichen Society
International Association of Lichenology

Forth-coming events
• 11th October 2008: 'Lothian Geology and Lichens ' - a day's introduction to geology and lichens with the Edinburgh Natural History Society.
• 8th December 2008: 'The Natural History of Scottish Lichens' - evening talk to the Kirkaldy Natural History Society.

Importance - learn more about Scotland's lichens

• Lichens are one of Scotland's most important contributions to international biodiversity. There are ca 1500 lichen species in Scotland, representing 37 % of European lichen species in just 0.75 % of European land area.
• This concentration of diversity can be explained: (i) by large variation in the Scottish environment, creating a complex mosaic of habitats and lichen niches, (ii) by a relatively unpolluted environment, and (iii) because of remnant habitats (e.g. old growth woodland) which have extended ecological continuity and provide refugia for niche-specialists.

The Role of RBGE

• RBGE research aims to describe, understand and conserve the lichen diversity of Scotland and the wider world.

• Description: taxonomic studies form the basis for species identification, without which ecological research and subsequent conservation strategy cannot proceed. The herbarium at RBGE houses the most up-to-date, active research collection of lichen specimens in the UK. It is a living, changing and expanding resource, used by taxonomists to describe new species and to revise existing concepts, and by ecologists as a reference point for the identification of difficult species.

• Explanation: research at RBGE seeks to understand the ecological processes controlling lichen diversity. Our studies address multiple factors affecting lichen species and communities, ranging from the large-scale effects of global climate change, to long-term woodland management, down to variations in 'micro-habitat', which may be measured over millimetres.

• Conservation: RBGE taxonomists and ecologists collaborate closely, and the results of taxonomic and ecological studies are used in combination, to inform conservation strategy for lichens in Scotland and more widely. RBGE scientists provide advice on lichen conservation to a wide variety of end-users, and are actively involved in the conservation of Scotland's natural resources.