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Alpicola: get lichen importance counts

Lichen Importance and SSSI Index calculator

This tool is still being tested. Larger spreadsheets not currently supported.

Use this tool to work out importance of lichens, based on the records in your list or spreadsheet.

The tool lists the species that are • in the English "Section 41" list • in the Welsh "Section 7" list (Lichens of Wales) • in the Scottish Biodiversity List • have a temperature rainforest indicator code as defined in A Provisional Definition of Temperate Rainforest in Britain and Ireland by Ben Averis. It then • lists those that have a "T-NT-N" score that is greater than zero and • lists the lichens by conservation status code. (The Northern Ireland list is not supported yet.)

It then works out the score for the various lichen SSSI indices. If one of the index scores exceeds a threshold, it might be eligible to be an SSSI. The listed thresholds are the lowest mentioned - please check the guidelines as the threshold varies according to location etc.

Calculation data

This tool is only possible thanks to the following sources of data. The tool uses a copy of the BLS taxon dictionary, updated occasionally. It also uses a copy of the "BLS synonyms" sheet in the latest BLS recording spreadsheet, updated as required. The SSSI indices are taken from the Guidelines for the Selection of Biological SSSIs - Chapter 13 Lichens and associated microfungi by Neil Sanderson, Tim Wilkins, Sam Bosanquet and Dave Genney, ie the PDF and the XLSX with some subsequent updates from Neil Sanderson. This tool also uses lists extracted from the sources listed earlier.

Taxon entries: 9134 - Mon Mar 23 2026

Synonym entries: 4215 - Sun Jun 22 2025

Rainforest entries: 81 - Thu Jun 05 2025

Index entries: 1559
Pinhead: 6
HMCHI: 15
MRCSI: 105
AQUI: 67
Limestone: 106
MHI: 49
SOWI: 88
LRI: 56
SWI: 49
URI: 36
BWI: 67
MAR: 191
NMAR: 213
MCR: 126
LCG: 69
FT: 72
NMCR: 154
L: 90

Logging

All SSSI index count requests are logged temporarily, with no accompanying personal/source data. The calculation index score totals are logged for each calculation request.

Version 1.3.1


Your time: - Copyright © Chris Cant