AGM FOLLOWED BY LICHEN REVELATIONS

After last Friday's Annual General Meeting of the Society, Professor David Hawksworth, Editor of the L&DLHS Proceedings, gave an illustrated talk on the study of lichens for dating archaeological surface features and artefacts. 

With over 50 years experience in the classification and identification of fungi, Professor Hawksworth is a recognised world authority on the diversity, systematics, and ecology of fungi, especially microfungi and lichens. He is particularly known for studies and surveys of fungal diversity, and the bio-indication of air pollution. His other interests include the biodiversity and conservation and naming systems of all groups of organisms.

He demonstrated how lichens of various species react to environmental conditions over periods of time, some growing faster than others but providing experts with the means to estimate the ages of stones, rocks and even trees. He showed how changes in sulphur dioxide emissions as a form of air pollution had clearly changed the rate of growth of trees within Greater London over the period between 1970 and 2004. 

Professor Hawksworth undertakes field surveys, training courses, environmental impact assessments, the preparation of specialist reports, and consultancies involving litigation, on a wide range of issues involving lichens and other fungi including mould growths in buildings. He has also given evidence in public enquiries.