Dr Peter Crittenden
Research
Interests
Lichens grow on nutrient poor soils or soil-less
substrata, habitats that are abundant in heathlands, polar regions and
arid lands. We are interested in ways in which lichens are adapted to
these extreme environments (e.g. by the efficient capture and recycling
of nutrients) and how they contribute to ecosystem function (e.g. by
efficient scavenging of nutrients from the atmosphere and nitrogen
fixation). The use of lichens as environmental monitors is also studied.
Current PhD students
Edward Tripp is studying the conservation of heathland vegetation.
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