Ecological impact of coal mines on lichens: A case study at Moghla coal mines Kalakote (Rajouri), J&K

Abstract

The data on the frequency, density and abundance of the lichens growing around the Moghla Coal mines, Kalakote has been recorded and compared with lichens growing in a forest area away from the coal mines to work out effect of coal mines on the diversity and distribution of lichens. The data revealed that pollutants released by the open coal mining activities not only effected qualitative distribution but also have effect on the quantitative parameters. Over all 10 species of lichens belonging to 9 genera and 6 families have been recorded from the vicinity of coal mines as compared to 15 species, belonging to 9 genera and 7 families, recorded from the forest area.