Lichenologist’s Lecture Enlivens Life for Lichen Lovers

• Santa Monica Mountains Continue to Offer Expert Unexpected New Discoveries in the Field

BY SUZANNE GULDIMANN

Malibuites who like lichens are in luck. Expert lichenologist Kerry Knudsen will be presenting his latest discoveries on lichens of the Santa Monica Mountains and the Channel Islands on Saturday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area Visitor Center in Thousand Oaks.
Lichens are a combination of fungus and alga that grows on rocks, trees and manmade structures like roofs and fences. Often colorful, strange and even beautiful, lichens can also be an important indicator species. According to the press release, scientists regard lichen as a kind of canary in the coal mine for climate change and air quality, because they are extremely sensitive to air pollution.
Knudsen recently received international attention for discovering a new species of lichen at Channel Islands National Park. He named his new discovery Caloplaca obamae, in honor of President Obama.
In addition to his new discoveries, Kerry Knudsen discuss his most recent project, investigating discoveries made in the area in the late 19th century by a lichen enthusiast named Herman Hasse.
“Over 100 years later, Knudsen has picked up that work, and recently returned from a research trip to Harvard University where Hasse’s journals and samples are now archived,” the press release stated.
“I verified 70 taxa that have not been collected since 1915, for a total of 86 taxa known only from historical record,” Knudsen said, calling the recent trip a success, and adding that he plans “to search through the Santa Monica Mountains to see if he can find any of these lichens.”
He said that he expects that “at least some will be exceptionally rare or have possibly disappeared from the mountains entirely.”
According to NPS Policy and External Affairs Manager Lauren Newman, “Knudsen’s lichen chronicles are sure to delight the audience, and his tales of discovery and quest for buried archives and forgotten species will thrill listeners.”
For more information, visit www.nps.gov/samo, or call 805-370-2343.