Species Diversity of Lichens in the Burabay State National Park, Kazakhstan

Abstract

Lichens constitute essential components of terrestrial ecosystems, and comprehensive documentation of lichen diversity is fundamental for conservation and ecosystem management. This study investigated the species composition and ecological distribution of lichens in Burabay State National Nature Park, northern Kazakhstan. Established in 2000, the park encompasses over 100,000 hectares representing a unique forest-steppe ecotone surrounded by extensive steppe landscapes, supporting approximately 700 vascular plant species and diverse recreational facilities. During 2018-2019, intensive surveys were conducted at 11 representative sites throughout the park. A total of 44 lichen species belonging to 19 genera and 9 families were identified. The families Parmeliaceae (14 species, 31.8%) and Cladoniaceae (13 species, 29.5%) exhibited the highest species richness, while Dermatocarpaceae, Verrucariaceae, and Lecanoraceae were each represented by single species. Ecological substrate analysis revealed nine distinct groups, with epiphytic lichens comprising the dominant ecological guild. These findings establish a baseline inventory of lichen diversity in Burabay National Park, contributing to the broader understanding of lichen biogeography in Central Asian forest-steppe ecosystems. The documented species assemblage provides essential data for monitoring ecosystem health and informing conservation strategies in this protected area of Kazakhstan.