The Ecology of the Maritime Lichens at Blakeney Point, Norfolk

Abstract

The observations which are here recorded were carried out during the summer visits of Prof. F. W. Oliver's ecological party in 1912 and 1913, in addition to which a short stay was made at the Point in the spring of 1914. When the slow growth and unresponsive nature of licheins are considered it will readily be recognized that such a period is very inadequate for the observation of secular changes which may affect the distribution of the lichen vegetation. The work is still in progress, and no doubt many years must elapse before any exhaustive account can be given, and the links between cause and effect be traced in every case. On the unstable and rapidly altering habitat of shingle, piled up by the sea and subject to the constant attacks of wave and current, the effect of certain factors, however, can soon be observed, and it is the novelty of their matter, rather than any quality of finality in these observations, that makes them seem worth publication at this stage. Blakeney Bank and the Headland are themselves well known to ecologists as one of the chief centres of experimental ecology in this country, and as a natural history reserve of great value and interest. Any further description of their main physiographical features has been rendered needless by Prof. F. W. Oliver's full account (5) in this JOURNAL and elsewhere.