Biodeterioration Activity of Lichens Communities on Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka World Heritage Zone, Madhya Pradesh, India

The study deals with lichen diversity on monuments of Bhimbetka rock shelters at Raisen district of Madhya Pradesh. The micro-climatic conditions of the monuments provide excellent habitat for lichens to colonize. A total of 40 species of lichens belonging to 10 lichen communities exhibit their occurrence on the rock shelters. The crustose and squamulose lichen communities with 21 species exhibit their dominance followed by eight Physioid and seven Teloschistacean communities. The ecology of lichen communities colonizing Bhimbetka rock shelters together with their deteriorating and bioprotecting role is also discussed.