The latest addition to Dilmah Conservation's series on environmental and nature publications, -Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka', authored by Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon was launched on 11th March 2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This visual compilation, which is also the first of its kind for Sri Lanka, seeks to provide an overview of lichen species found in Sri Lanka and stir an interest in the study of lichens among students and nature enthusiasts.
Lichenologist Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon is an annual grant awardee of the National Geographic Society, given for the first time to a woman scientist in South Asia. 'Lichens are fascinating because very little is known about them,' the author says. Beyond the aesthetics of lichens, it is of medicinal value and also a rich source of knowledge in terms of research. As lichens are extremely sensitive, they can be used as an inexpensive measure of air contamination across different parts of the country.
The latest addition to Dilmah Conservation's series on environmental and nature publications, -Fascinating Lichens of Sri Lanka', authored by Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon was launched on 11th March 2015 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. This visual compilation, which is also the first of its kind for Sri Lanka, seeks to provide an overview of lichen species found in Sri Lanka and stir an interest in the study of lichens among students and nature enthusiasts.
Lichenologist Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon is an annual grant awardee of the National Geographic Society, given for the first time to a woman scientist in South Asia. 'Lichens are fascinating because very little is known about them,' the author says. Beyond the aesthetics of lichens, it is of medicinal value and also a rich source of knowledge in terms of research. As lichens are extremely sensitive, they can be used as an inexpensive measure of air contamination across different parts of the country.
In line with its commitment to supporting accessible environmental and nature education, Dilmah Conservation also supported a series of workshops introducing lichenology, or the study of lichens, to students, scientists and environmental enthusiasts in Sri Lanka.
Commonly found on the bark of trees, lichens are fungus and algae that come together to grow on any surface, changing the surface so that something else can grow on it better. During the last 3 years, Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon was able to describe more than 55 new species of lichens in Sri Lanka. However, predictions are of 3,000 to possibly 4,000 varieties in the country. With more awareness and records of lichen sightings, Sri Lanka could become a bio-diversity hotspot for the lichen family.
The 3rd National Workshop on Lichens in Sri Lanka was held at Royal Botanical Gardens in Kandy from 5th-7th March 2015 and supported by Dilmah Conservation. It was facilitated by a prominent international team of visiting lichenologists including Dr. Gothamie Weerakoon, a scientific affiliate of the Field Museum of Chicago USA, Prof. Prof. Marcela C