TITLE:
Substrate-Dependent Distribution of Lichens in Mountain Landscapes
AUTHORS:
Masudjon Norkulov, Sherbek Kholutayev, Muhammad Shahid Iqbal, Ra’no Saydazimova
KEYWORDS:
Lichens, Substrate Preference, Epilithic, Sariydala, Boyqo’ng’irsoy, Western Tien-Shan, Turkestan Range, Voucher Specimens
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.17 No.9,
September
9,
2026
ABSTRACT: This article examines the taxonomic composition and substrate-related ecological characteristics of lichens distributed in the Sariydala area (41.13441˚N, 70.38979˚E; 2212 m a.s.l.) of Pop district, Namangan region, and the Boyqo’ng’irsoy area (39˚37'23.8''N, 68˚12'15.5''E) of Baxmal district, Jizzakh region. Based on a systematic field survey of 5 micro-sites (~2 km2 per area) examining 78 herbarium specimens, a total of 15 taxa (14 species and 1 additional variety) belonging to 2 classes, 8 families and 11 genera were identified. Each taxon was assigned to a primary substrate group based on the predominant substrate (>60% of collected specimens) observed in the field. Epilithic (rock-inhabiting) taxa predominated, accounting for 8 taxa (53.3%), followed by epiphytic (bark-inhabiting) taxa (3 taxa, 20.0%), epibryophytic (moss-inhabiting) taxa (2 taxa, 13.3%), lignicolous (wood-inhabiting) taxa (1 taxon, 6.7%), epigeic (soil-inhabiting) taxa (1 taxon, 6.7%), and one generalist taxon (6.7%) occurring on both bark and wood. While some generalist taxa exhibited multi-substrate occurrences, others were restricted to specific substrates. The observed predominance of epilithic lichens represents a descriptive ecological association driven by a combination of rocky microhabitats, sparse tree cover, high insolation, and localized climatic conditions, rather than a direct mechanistic cause. All vouchers are deposited in the Herbarium of Samarkand State University (SAMU).