ALPINE LICHENS OF TASMANIAS SOUTH-WEST WILDERNESS

The climate, geology and vegetation of Tasmania's South West wildernes s are described briefly, with particular reference to lichens. One hun dred and sixty-two lichens are recorded from alpine altitudes in the r egion and the major habitats for alpine lichens are discussed. The flo ra differs significantly from that of other Tasmanian mountain systems , and this is attributed in part to geology and macroclimate. The regi on is rich in Tasmanian endemics and distinctly austral species with r estricted geographical distributions. (C) 1995 The British Lichen Soci ety