Record of a fruiticose lichen, Ramalina farinacea (L.) Ach. for Qatar

Abstract

Lichens are thallophytic lower plants. Ramalina farinacea (L.) Ach., family Ramalinaceae, is the only fruticose lichen recorded in Qatar. It occurs on stony terrain bordering the coastline in association with other more common crustose lichens. Lichens are good monitors of environmental changes however slight these are. The need to study the eco-taxonomy of Qatar lichens is two-fold : a) it will be the first study on the group in Qatar and b) it will be the first study to cover the species distribution and tolerance in an arid zone.