A Need for Lichen Bio-deterioration Study on Ratnagiri and Udayagiri Excavation Site of Jajpur, Odisha

Abstract

A recent survey to study the lichens in Ratnagiri and Udayagiri excavated sites of Jajpur, Odisha revealed that the monuments and statues were prone to both bio-physical and bio-chemical weathering by lichens. The common crustose lichens belong to the lichen genera Lecidella, Buellia, Lecanora, Lepraria were predominant on monuments. A few members such as species of Dirinaria and Pyxine were found growing luxuriantly on the monuments. An interesting case of lichen attack was observed in several statues and sculptures scattered in open areas. The sides of statues on a sculpture receiving less sunlight and remain in the shade for a longer time have more moisture conditions thus these patches are heavily colonised by crustose Lecideloid species of Amandinea in association with powdery Lepraria, Lecidella, Pertusaria to leaf-like Pyxine and Dirinaria of family Physciaceae.