Lichens of the coniston Copper mines

Abstract

Abstract Lichen communities at four sites of copper sulphide mineralization and associated secondary oxidation products are described from an old mining area at Coniston in the English Lake District. Five lichen species new to Britain, Stereocaulon symphycheilum, Lecanora handelii, Rhizocarpon furfurosum, Lecidea atrofulva and L. inops , are briefly described, the last mentioned being a specific indicator of copper mineralization. The species complex, Lecidea auriculata, L. diducens and L. inops , is discussed in some detail. Toninia leucophaeopsis and the non- British Bilimbia tornensis are distinct species and are both referred to the genus Stereocaulon .