The lichen vegetation associated with calcareous rocks, areas of long
snow-lie and the margins of high-level lakes in North Wales is describ
ed. It includes Porpidia ochrolemma (Vain.) Brodo & R. Sant. and Rhizo
carpon anaperum (Vain.) Vain. new to the British Isles, plus a further
30 taxa recorded for the first time from Wales. The relative importan
ce of the montane lichen vegetation of North Wales is assessed by comp
arison with areas in other parts of the British Isles. It is shown to
exceed in interest any montane area in England or Ireland but to be be
low the standard of an otherwise comparable area in Scotland. (C) 1996
The British Lichen Society