The Society's journal, The Lichenologist, contains taxonomic revisions of critical groups, articles of ecological, physiological and environmental interest, including a bibliographic series on lichens and air pollution, and many other matters of interest to lichenologists throughout the world.

The BLS Bulletin is sent twice yearly to all who join the Society. It contains short articles on many aspects of lichenology (many with colour illustrations) as well as reports of meetings, administrative documents etc. Follow this link for an example article concerning an expedition to Nepal which took place in 2007.

Both publications are free to certain categories of membership (see the Prospectus). The Society welcomes membership from any persons world-wide interested in lichenology.

The Lichenologist is available to Institutions from Cambridge University Press and is also available online. Institutions can subscribe to the BLS Bulletin by contacting the BLS Membership Secretary.

Past issues of The Lichenologist are now available on the Cambridge Journals Online system to BLS members who opt to take The Lichenologist. Such members have been sent a membership subscriber number. If you are such a member, setting up access is quick and easy. Either download these instructions or simply visit the Cambridge Journals Online site. Follow the instructions sent to you with your pass code. If you need help, contact the Customer Services department for further advice by email or by phone on 01223 326085.

BLS Books and Publications Available from Richmond Publishing

• Cat.1. The Lichens of Great Britain & Ireland. Ed. Smith et al. (2009). Hardback, 700pp.
  This work, a much enlarged revision of ‘The Lichen Flora of Great Britain and Ireland published in 1992, reflects the enormous advances in lichen taxonomy over the last two decades. There are keys to 327 genera and 1873 species, with detailed descriptions and information on chemistry and distributions. The language is accessible, avoiding obscure terminology and the keys are elegant. The Lichens of Britain and Ireland is undoubtedly the standard work for the identification of lichens in Great Britain and Ireland and will be indispensible to all serious students of lichens and to other biologists working in the related fields of ecology, pollution, chemical and environmental studies.
  BLS members: £45.00 ; non-members £65.00
  Postage & Packing £7.50 UK, £15.00 overseas (note this is a very heavy book!).

• Lichen Atlas of the British Isles, ed. M.R.D. Seaward
  The Atlas has been published in fascicles, unbound A4 sheets hole-punched for keeping in a ring binder. Each species account includes a distribution map and a discussion of the lichen’s habitat, ecology, identification and status. Many accounts give detailed information that is otherwise difficult to obtain. The series is ongoing with a fascicle on lirellate lichens in an advanced stage of preparation.
  Cat.2. Fascicle 2: Cladonia part 1 (59 spp). 1996.
  Cat.3. Fascicle 3: The foliose Physciaceae (Anaptychia, Heterodermia, Hyperphyscia, Phaeophyscia, Physcia, Tornabea) plus Arctomia, Lobaria, Massalongia, Pseudocyphellaria, Psoroma, Solorina, Sticta, Teloschistes. (54 spp) 1998.
  Cat.4. Fascicle 4: Cavernularia, Degelia, Lepraria, Leproloma, Moelleropsis, Pannaria, Parmeliella. (36 spp) 1999.
  Cat.5. Fascicle 5: Aquatic Lichens and Cladonia part 2. (64 spp). 2000.
  Cat.6. Fascicle 6: Caloplaca. (58 spp) 2001.
  All fascicles are offered to members at a special price of £4.00 each , (approximately half price). Price to non-members is £6.00 per fascicle.
  Postage & Packing £3.50 UK, 10.00 overseas, per fascicle.

  Cat.7. All five fascicles for £16.00 (buy 4, get one free!). Price to non-members is £24.00 for all five.
  Postage & packing £8.50 UK, £25.00 overseas

• Cat.8. Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens  by  A. Orange  (2010)
  2nd edition, with two colour plates. Full of useful information on pigments, crystals, colour tests with reagents and TLC. £8.00 members, £10.00 non-members.
  Postage & Packing £3.50 UK, £8.50 overseas.

• Cat.9. Conservation Evaluation of British Lichens by B.J.Coppins and R.G. Woods (2003)
  An essential reference for anyone trying to assess a habitat when presented with a lichen species list. This is essentially a directory of all British lichens with their conservation status and  with notes on particular species. A  second edition is in preparation and the remaining stock of this first edition is being remaindered at £1.00.
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.10. Surveying and Report Writing for Lichenologists   Ed. D.J. Hill (2006)
  Guidelines on commissioning surveys, fieldwork, identification and report writing, aimed principally at those people and organisations commissioning surveys and at those undertaking them. However, much of the information is of value to any lichenologist engaged in field recording.
  BLS members £7.00; non-members £10.00
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.11. Indices of Ecological Continuity for Woodland Epiphytic Lichen Habitats in the British Isles by A.M. and B.J. Coppins (2002)
  The use of lichens as indices of ecological continuity in British Woodlands was pioneered by Dr. Francis Rose MBE. The indices he proposed are here updated and regional variations are explained.
  BLS members £2.00; non-members £5.00
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.12. Lichen Habitat Management   Ed. A. Fletcher (2001)
  This 174-page book is the proceedings of a workshop held in 1997 and is packed with practical information for the management of different habitats for lichens. Essential for anyone involved in wildlife conservation.
  BLS members: £6.00 ; non-members £10.00
  Postage & Packing £4.50 UK, £10.50 overseas.

• Cat.13. Usnea ‘Aide Memoire’ by P.W. James
  A5 booklet with drawings and many useful tips for identifying the British species of this difficult genus.
  BLS members £2.00 ; non-members £3.00
  Postage & Packing £1.50 UK, £2.50 overseas.

• Cat.14. The Lichen Hunters by O.L. Gilbert (2004). Hardback, 208pp.
  If you have been on any lichen field meetings in the last fifty years, this is a book you will enjoy. The late Oliver Gilbert’s boundless enthusiasm comes across in every page as he describes field meetings and explorations around Britain. Many past and present members of the Society are fondly remembered in this delightful book.  Special price, now only £6.00.
  Postage & Packing £4.50 UK, £10.50 overseas.

• Cat.15. ‘Understanding Lichens’ by George Baron (1999).paperback, 92pp.
  An excellent introduction to lichenology, from the basic biology of lichens to their environmental importance as well as the history of the science.
  BLS members £8.95; non-members £9.95
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.16. A Field Key to Common Churchyard Lichens by Frank Dobson (2003)
  Spiral-bound book with strong paper. Illustrated keys to lichens of stone, wooden structures, soil and mosses. 53 colour photographs. Covers many common lowland lichens.
  BLS members £6.50; non-members £7.50
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.17. A Field Key to Coastal and Seashore Lichens by Frank Dobson (2010)
  A superb guide to over 400 species. 96 colour photographs. In the same format as cat. 15.
  BLS members £10.00; non-members £12.00
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.18. A Bibliographic Guide to the Lichen Floras of the World (2nd edn.) by D.L. Hawksworth and T. Ahti
  Reproduced from The Lichenologist vol. 22 (1990). A useful list, up to its publication date, of reference works to lichen floras around the world. Special price, now £1.00
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.19. Horizons in Lichenology Ed: D.H. Dalby, D.L. Hawksworth and S.L. Jury (1988)
  Proceedings of a symposium held in 1987. Seven wide-ranging review articles.
  Special price, now £1.00
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.20. Checklist of Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland by B.J. Coppins (2002)
  Although an updated checklist is available on the BLS website, this is the most recent printed version, an attractive publication ideal for annotation.
  Special price now £2.00
  Postage & Packing £3.50 UK, £8.50 overseas.

• Cat. 21 and 22. Lichen Wall Charts illustrated by Clare Dalby
  Two beautifully illustrated wall charts, ‘Lichens on Trees’(cat.21) and ‘Lichens on Rocky Seashores’ (cat.22) have been produced by artist Clare Dalby.  Each is A1 size (80cm wide x 60cm high) and feature over 40 species in colour, nomenclature updated to 2010.
  £5.00 per poster, £4.00 per poster for purchases  of 8 or more.
  Postage & Packing (for up to two posters) £3.00 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.23. Parmelia identification CD-Rom
  Although the nomenclature has been superceded, this CD provides a useful range of photographs and other information for identification.
  BLS members: £5.00; non-members £7.00
  Postage & Packing £2.00 UK, £5.00 overseas.

• Cat.24. Lichen Identifier CD-Rom
  This is a simple to use multi-access computer key that enables the user to find the species name and characteristics of any British or Irish lichen
  It is divided into field and microscopical characters and any information available may be entered in any order to obtain a solution. With the majority of species, a few characters, noted in the field, are sufficient to identify the species. A brief note on each species further assists separation of similar species.
  This multi-access computer key was originally based on The Lichen Flora of Great Britain and Ireland by O.W. Purvis et al (1992). It includes every species mentioned in that book plus many that have been more recently described or added to the British list. The nomenclature agrees with the most recent version of the BLS checklist.
  It can therefore be used to identify any of the lichens contained in the above Flora. In addition, it includes many species that have been added to the British and Irish lists since that time.
  Lichen-Identifier will run on a PC with a 486 DX or later processor running Windows NT, 95, 98, 2000, XP, Vista and Windows 7. Mac users with PC virtualisation software such as Parallels Desktop or VMWare, or with Boot Camp installed, should also be able to run this under an appropriate version of Windows.
  Improvements in Version 3 of Lichen-Identifier include: Completely revised data, where possible, using the completed sections of the new Flora, plus many recently described species. The conservation evaluation from A Conservation Evaluation of British Lichens by R.G. Woods & B.J. Coppins is given for each species. Over 750 colour photographs of improved quality and with a scale added to each one. Every distribution map has been updated and include now maps of lichenicolous fungi although these are not part of the actual key.
  Please note that this program includes a DataPower 2 reader which will run on an individual computer. It will not run on a multiple system in client/server mode. If you are using a server system, a site licence for DataPower 2 is required
  BLS members £26.00 for version 3, (£15.00 for upgrade from version 2).
  Non-members £28.00 for version 3, (£15.00 for upgrade from version 2).
  Postage & Packing £2.50 UK, £6.50 overseas.

• Cat.31.  Lichens – An Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish Species 6th Edition (2011)
  This latest enlarged edition (496pp) of this popular book provides an invaluable guide to identifying the British and Irish species, both for the beginner and the more advanced lichenologist. With detailed air pollution references and distribution maps, it offers the environmentalist and ecologist a concise work of reference, compact enough to be used in the field.
  The 6th edition has been revised to conform with the nomenclature of ‘The Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland’ ed. Smith, C.W. et al (2009) and more recent changes. Over 160 additional species to the previous edition have been added so over 1,000 species are now treated.
  Entries usually consist of a description of each species, a photograph, notes on habitat, chemical tests, line drawings to clarify the description and a distribution map giving three date separations.
  There is an enlarged generic key and a much extended section on sterile species. A generic synopsis is included to assist the more experienced lichenologist.
  Paperback £35.00, hardback £50.00.
  Postage & packing £7.00 UK, overseas £10.00

Orders for any of the above catalogue items should be sent to: Richmond Publishing Co. Ltd., P.O. Box 963, Slough, SL2 3RS [Tel,: +44 (0)1753 643104 Fax: +44 (0)1753 646553] Email: rpc@richmond.co.uk. Please use the order form available at this link.

The following publications can be obtained from the addresses listed for each, and are subject to availability.

New

Lichens of Ireland. An illustrated introduction to over 250 species (2011)
By Paul Whelan. The first book devoted to the lichen flora of Ireland, with superb colour photographs throughout, distribution maps, extensive introductory material, and more. A concise account of the key species, its photographs include magnified views of important detail. Species descriptions are given in plain English to ensure wide understanding, and there are helpful accounts of key habitats such as the Burren. An essential field guide for anyone visiting Ireland, and a valuable addition to those covering northern Europe. Flexibound, 160 pages, 210x148 mm. The Collins Press, Cork, £17.99 or €19.99. ISBN13: 978-1-84889-1371 From The Collins Press or Amazon.co.uk: ordering details at this link.

New

Lichens. An Illustrated Guide to the British and Irish Species. Sixth Edition (2011)
By Frank S. Dobson. The sixth edition of this essential field guide and accessible reference has been revised to conform with the nomenclature of The Lichens of Great Britain and Ireland (Smith C.W. et al. 2009) and more recent changes. It includes a number of species that do not appear in that flora. Over 160 additional species have been added so that this edition now includes more than 1,000 species. The vast majority of the other entries have been updated or amended. The popular generic 'lateral key' has been retained in an enlarged form including a much extended sterile section. A generic synopsis is included to assist the more experienced lichenologist. For more details and an order form please follow this link.

A Field Key to Coastal and Seashore Lichens (2010)
By Frank S. Dobson.

• Members ... £10 (plus £2.00 p&p)


• Non-members ... £12 (plus £2.00 p&p)


• Please send your order form and cheque to Frank S. Dobson, 57 Acacia Grove, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3BU (Tel/fax: 020 8949 2416) Cheques (not credit or debit cards) payable to Frank S. Dobson, enclosing name, address and post code.


• For details of this key and an order form follow this link

Botanical Survey of India and related publications (2010)

Please follow this link to the publisher's letter which provides a summary of the recent publications concerning Asian lichens (plus individual links to each publication on the publisher's website)

Lichens of Atlantic Woodlands (2008)
Two excellent water-resistant fold-out field guides produced by Plantlife Scotland for anyone interested in identifying lichens on Atlantic woodland trees.

• Guide 1: Lichens on Ash, Hazel, Willow, Rowan and Old Oak. By Andy Acton and Anna Griffith.
• Guide 2: Lichens on Birch, Alder and Oak. By Andy Acton and Anna Griffith.
• Price ... £3.50 per guide
• For copies, please contact: Matilda Scharsach, Lower Plant and Fungi Officer, Plantlife-Scotland, Balallan House, Allan Park, Stirling, FK8 2QG. Tel: +44 (0)1786 469778.
Flier: Atlantic Woodland Lichens
Email: Matilda Scharsach
Website: Plantlife
Additional website link: free leaflet downloads on lichens - Peltigera Ecology and Introductory guide to lichens.

Montane Heath Lichen Guide by Andrea Britten (2008)

This is a new field guide aimed at anyone interested in identifying the lichens found in mountain environments. The book covers all of the species that you are most likely to see in montane heath habitats. Follow this link to order a copy.

Lundy Lichens by Ann Allen (2007)

Published by the Lundy Field Society 2007. 48 pages with over 50 colour photographs. Softback at £9.99 [plus £1.00 p&p] Available from: Alan Rowland, Mole Cottage, Woodford, Morwenstow, Cornwall EX23 9JR

A Field Key to Common Churchyard Lichens by Frank Dobson (2006)

This book contains colour photographs and illustrated keys. These keys only use characters that are visible in the field, by eye, or under a x10 hand lens. For more information follow Link.

• For Members of the British Lichen Society £6.50 (plus £1.50 p&p)
• For non-members £7.50 (plus £1.50 p&p)
• Available from: Mr. F.S. Dobson, 57 Acacia Grove, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3BU

Identification of Parmelias (CD) by Frank Dobson (1997)

This CD-Rom is an essential aid to the identification of the 47 species of British Isles Parmelia supplementing the maps and text of the first fascicle of The Lichen Atlas of the British Isles.

Full details are available from this link, or Mr. F.S. Dobson, 57 Acacia Grove, New Malden, Surrey, KT3 3BU

The following free downloads are available from the links given.

(Oct 2008) Pyrenocarp Handbook by Alan Orange

This informal identification guide was originally prepared for the BLS workshop on "Pyrenocarps on Rock" held at Blencathra Field Study Centre, Keswick, Cumbria 26 Aug to 2 Sept, 2006.

Download this guide Here.

Please note this is a large zip file (6Mb) for download so may take a while. If you are unable to download this large file contact Alan Orange via this link

(2002) Indices of Ecological Continuity by Sandy Coppins

This manual is dedicated to Dr Francis Rose MBE, who first grappled with the evidence and formulated the use of lichens as indicators of ecological continuity in British deciduous woodlands.

Download this guide Here.

Please note this is a largish file (1.7Mb) for download so may take a while.

(2011) Avon Gorge Lichen Trail

This is an interesting lichen trail in the UK's Avon gorge.

Download this guide Here.

Please note this is a largish file (2Mb) for download so may take a while.