The lichen flora of the Nordic countries,
containing about 2000 species, is regarded as one of the best known in the
world.Lichenological research of the region has been continuous since the time
of Erik Acharius (1757–1819), the "father of lichenology", but it is
a sad fact that there is no modern treatment of the region’s impressive lichen
flora, the last attempt in the 1870s being that of Th. M. Fries, his major work,
Lichenographia scandinavica, unfortunately remained unfinished.
A number of specialist lichenologists have united forces to
produce this much needed Nordic Lichen Flora.
