Archives: February2010

• Dolichousnea longissima

  

  Methuselah beard lichen or old man’s beard lichen (and known often scientifically by its synoynm, Usnea longissima) was once more widespread than it is today. Throughout much of its historic range, a patchy distribution of circumboreal forests in Europe, Asia and North America, it is now either threatened or extirpated. Populations remain strong in the Pacific Northwest of North America, however. Declines are attributable to habitat loss (clear-cutting) and air pollution.

  In one of my favourite natural history books, The Lichens of North America, reference is made both to its pollution-sensitivity: “Its presence can be used as an indication of pure air” as well as its outstanding potential length: up to 3m (10ft) (“easily the longest lichen in the world“).

  A photographic note: the vertical streaks in the background of the image are rain drops.

• Giant Redwoods May Dry Out; Warming to Blame?

  Some of the planet’s tallest and longest-lived trees may be harmed by declining fog cover on California’s coast, a new study suggests.

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Feb 15, How to Draw Faces

  How to draw faces: Basic face drawing tips and techniques by Victor Perard and other artists.