The potential of lichens in the detection and monitoring of air pollution and habitat disturbance has sadly not been exploited to the extent that it merits in Asia. This is unfortunate as some countries in the region are currently experiencing air pollution conditions recalling those seen in Europe in the 1950s–1970s, as well as having to assess which forests should be protected against advancing chain-saws. The use of lichens in environmental monitoring also has the advantage that it is low-cost and can be used to survey even large areas relatively quickly. D. K. Upreti, who first studied lichens under the late Dharani D. Awasthi, is surely the foremost lichenologist in India today. Here, he has combined his skills with those of two Indian scientists, both with experience of the use of lichens in various aspects of environmental monitoring, to help redress this situation.

As it can be anticipated that many of those who may wish to utilize lichens in this way will have little knowledge of lichenology, the authors have endeavoured to make it a one-stop-shop for those that wish to do so. The first two chapters are consequently introductions to the subject as a whole. Lichen structure, reproduction, development and establishment, growth, roles in rock weathering, and chemistry are all covered with numerous literature references. The glossary provided at the end of the book will be especially useful to newcomers to lichenology. Understandably, however, the authors have perhaps not always been able to keep abreast of current research and the text seems rather dated in parts. For example, the origin of lichenization and the position of lichen-fungi in the overall phylogeny of ascomycetes are not addressed, and lichens are repeatedly referred to as “organisms” and even “plants”; it is sad to see such old concepts being regurgitated in the 21st century. In contrast, the treatment of lichen products is rather full and even includes NMR spectral data. After a short but pertinent chapter on species selection, the authors discuss the lichen biotas of different regions of India, provide a key to “toxitolerant and common lichens in different lichenographical regions”, detailed accounts of 20 “bioindicator” species with descriptions, colour photographs, and distribution maps in the subcontinent, and then synopses of several “bioindicator lichen communities”.

The last two chapters focus on the practicalities of using lichens in environmental monitoring, with nitrogen oxides, heavy metals, arsenic metalloids, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, radiocarbons, and lichenometry to the fore. The discussion of air quality monitoring has much on formulaic approaches, and does not really bring out the potential of what can be done from direct field observations as strongly as it should. Even if the lichens are not identified, mapping can indicate areas being affected by something, although the cause of those effects may be unclear; it can consequently indicate areas where physico-chemical studies should be carried out. I have found that such mapping can be successfully undertaken by children, students, and environmental health officers with only an hour or so of training. It was, however, especially pleasing to see the results of so many Indian studies being brought together here, as in a five-page table compiling concentrations of metals in particular lichen species in various cities and other localities in India. I did, however, expect to see more on sulphur dioxide monitoring, and patterns of lichen recolonization under ameliorating conditions. Finally, guidance on management and conservation issues is provided, and how and when lichens should be used in environmental monitoring. There are, however, aspects with considerable potential in the region which are not, or only briefly, covered here, in particular the use of lichens as indicators of ecological continuity, and of water quality.

For me, the greatest value of the book has been to make me aware of the extent to which lichens have been used as biodindicators and biomonitors in India. It will surely achieve its objective of encouraging their more widespread use in the region, especially as I understand Springer make it available at a reduced price in India, but users need to be aware that everything cannot be covered in one rather slim book, and should supplement it by other works, of which Nimis et al. (Reference Nimis, Sheidegger and Wolseley2002) would be of particular value.