{"id":516,"date":"2009-10-17T09:07:05","date_gmt":"2009-10-17T14:07:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/rdnhs.org.uk\/blog\/?p=516"},"modified":"2009-10-24T09:30:39","modified_gmt":"2009-10-24T14:30:39","slug":"shiplake-church-17th-october-2009","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rdnhs.org.uk\/blog\/shiplake-church-17th-october-2009\/","title":{"rendered":"Shiplake Church – 17th October 2009"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Lichen<\/a>
Lichen (Caloplaca sp.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>
\nMembers gathered in the churchyard of St Peter and St Paul, Shiplake, Oxfordshire on Saturday 17th<\/sup> October 2009 to look at lichens.\u00a0 Leader James Wearn began the afternoon by explaining the reasons for choosing the site.\u00a0 It had been more than thirty years since a lichen walk had been led in the churchyard, the last being directed by the renowned botanist Francis Rose during the late 1970s.\u00a0 In addition, there is a good diversity of lichens in such a small area, which is ideal for enthusing beginners and more knowledgeable members alike.<\/p>\n

James explained that different species could be found on acidic and basic stone (largely affected by pH levels) and demonstrated the range of forms from shrubby (fruticose) or leaf-like (foliose) to crust-forming (crustose).\u00a0 The colours of lichens in the churchyard range from white, bright yellow, and orange to shades of green, blue-green, grey and black.\u00a0 Using a hand lens the group examined the different reproductive structures and their importance as indicators of different lichen families or species.\u00a0 The group also discussed the ecology of lichens and James received some excellent questions regarding the effects of the environment, including light levels and precipitation.\u00a0 The group then walked along the track next to the Thames to look at lichens on trees.<\/p>\n