The Foliicolous Lichens Of Japan

Foliicolous lichens are one of the most abundant epiphytes in tropical rainforests and one of the few groups of organisms that characterize these forests. Tropical rainforests are increasingly affected by anthropogenic disturbance resulting in forest destruction and degradation. However, not much is known on the effects of anthropogenic disturbance on the diversity of foliicolous lichens. Understanding such effects is crucial for the development of appropriate measures for the conservation of such organisms. In this study, foliicolous lichens diversity was investigated in three tropical rainforests in East Africa. Godere Forest in Southwest Ethiopia is a transitional rainforest with a mixture of Afromontane and Guineo-Congolian species. The forest is secondary and has been affected by shifting cultivation, semi-forest coffee management and commercial coffee plantation. Budongo Forest in West Uganda is a Guineo-Congolian rainforest consisting of primary and secondary forests. Kakamega Forest in western Kenya is a transitional rainforest with a mixture of Guineo-Congolian and Afromontane species. The forest is a mosaic of near-primary forest, secondary forests of different seral stages, grasslands, plantations, and natural glades.

The Dictionary of the Fungi has been published continuously by CABI from it's outset in 1943 to the latest (tenth) edition in 2008. The primary feature of the Dictionary is an authoritative consensus classification of the fungi, that has been widely accepted as an enabling and informing framework for research into pure and applied mycology. Fungal Families of the World has been conceived as an illustrative and more approachable companion to the Dictionary. Second it provides further substantial information on the 536 currently accepted families of Fungi, with more detailed descriptions and notes on ecology, economic uses, and the like. Third (and perhaps most importantly), it depicts the extraordinary range of morphological structures found in fungi, celebrating myco-diversity and perhaps stimulating interest in mycology by those individuals outside the inner circle of fungal systematists. The taxonomic framework for Fungal Families of the World is based upon that of the ninth edition of Dictionary but has been substantially updated to confirm with the findings of two major US-led research projects on fungal systematics, popularly referred to as Deep Hydra and AFTOL (Assembling the Fungal Tree of Life). The book contains images for over 400 families of the Fung, representing substantially wider fungal diversity than has been achieved before in a single publication. Where practical illustration of both macroscopic and microscopic features have been included. Fungal Families of the World will be of great value to students and researchers in biology, ecology and conservation, to mycologists, agriculturalists and foresters and serves as an informative companion to the Dictionary of the Fungi.