Events
Botanical diversity and lichens impact to rock art
Of special interest for management and protection of the rock carvings of Sarmishsai are plants and lichens growing in cracks that may cause a threat to the fragile carved rocks and its further destabilization.
(Pictures) A unique case of mutual development of lichens by plant supporting; a- rock surface of Group 13 colonized by lichens; in crack a herb at the fruit stage maturation is marked; b- a powerful tubercle-like roots of herb grown in the cracks of rock panels.
Lichen has probably always found a base upon these rock panels, and in some cases they stabilize a crumbling surface; however it also masks shallow carvings and creates difficulties in recording by photography, rubbing and most other recording methods.
(Picture) One of the panels of group 10. The limestone deposit ( grayish color) and colonizing of epylythic lichens almost covered the famous gazelle image. Conservation measure will be started after chemical analysis of the lime crust.
Approximately 81 different lichen samples were collected in October 2004 Sarmishsai for further determination.
The special analysis of lichens has been initiated by botanists in Sarmishsai in summer 2004.
(Picture) Prof. Tura Rakhimova (National University of Uzbekistan) and Dr Kristina Toderich (Academy of Science of Uzbekistan) during recording of lichens diversity and its spatial distribution on the rock surfaces, where carvings clearly exist.