The search for the elegant sunburst lichen
Dr Amy Rogers from Hugglescote and a science teacher at Higham Lane School, Nuneaton, is one of four highly committed teachers who will be travelling to the Antarctic in November 2007 to take part in several joint science projects on human physiology and psychology and measuring the environmental footprint of the expedition itself. Her own personal project is to study and collect lichens in areas of Antarctica around Patriot Hills and the Ellsworth Mountains. This, the first of many Fuchs Foundation Expeditions to the Polar Regions
The report (Leicester Mercury 10th April) about the lichen, Xanthoria-elegans found in Melton Mowbray by chance during engineering works prompted Amy to tell me about the connections of that particular lichen, also known as ‘the elegant sunburst lichen’, and her work in Antarctica. This species of lichen is more commonly found in areas with the purest air quality and would be more associated with regions such as Mt. Everest , K2 and within Britain , North Norfolk or West Wales
All the research carried out by Amy and her teaching colleagues will be used to publish inspirational and exciting teaching materials which will not only be available to her school but to any student or teacher who accesses www.fuchsfoundation.org
Following their return from Antarctica after December 2007. Amy says ‘It is possible we will find Xanthoria elegans in Antarctica . We’ll also be looking for new species of lichens that haven’t been described before. We’ll be analyzing the lichens to see what they have absorbed. This will give us some idea about air quality. We’ll also be looking at how lichens are growing to give us some information about the effects of climate change’. . , is to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Trans-Antarctic Expedition successfully lead and completed by Sir Vivian Fuchs, a notable man of science. where they have not been previously studied. amy_catherine_rogers@hotmail.com
Page last modified: 25th Feb 2008 - 14:35:03