Symbiont: collecting lichens

Symbiont three month research project has started. I have arrived at SymbioticA on the 13 April 2021.  On the 15 April I have received from the DEPARTMENT OF BIODIVERSITY, CONSERVATION AND ATTRACTIONS/Government of Western Australia the permit to collect the lichens. I had to apply for FLORA TAKING CROWN LAND LICENCE 61 and application for REGULATION 4 AUTHORITY 8 (1) and APPLICATION FOR PRIVATE LAND SUPPLIER’S LICENCE 63. By doing this applications I started to understand how much care I need to have in collecting lichens and toward the environment.

During the weekend 17-19 April, I went to visit a private property at 3 hours far form Perth, in the Blackwood river Valley within the shire of Bridgetown-Greenbushes. I collected the common foliosa lichen species growing on rocks and burnt logs but also crostosa ones growing on granite rocks.

The valley was astonishing. In the morning the mist and the rayon of the sun breaking through. Optimal environment for lichens being poikilohydric organisms whose water status varies  with surrounding environmental conditions. They become desiccated relatively rapidly, so water availability is of prime importance for their survival . They are able to utilise other water sources such as fog and dew. 

The rural property is surrounded by the Blackwood river visited by red tailed black cockatoos, emerald green parrots and Fairy blue wrens. By recording their calls, I recorded the sound of the valley. The environment where the lichens grow.

 "This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body."

"This project has been researched and developed during a residency at SymbioticA, The Centre of Excellence in Biological Arts at the School of Human Science, The University of Western Australia."