Colonization delay of Rhizocarpon geographicum: Study from the Gangotri glacier,northwestern Himalaya

Lichenometric application used mainly for the dating of moraines, involves the calibration of growth rate curve with the inclusion of colonization delay of a specific type of lichen. In the present study, the colonization delay of Rhizocarpon geographicum species of lichen found on the boulders of granite and gneisses in the Gangotri glacier environment has been interpreted. It has been concluded that the colonization delay for the said species is different for both the rock-types. It is about 78 years for granite and between 50 and 78 years for the gneisses. The study will help to establish the absolute ages of the various terminal moraines of the Gangotri glacier, which in turn will help to ascertain the recession history of the glacier.