Lichenology and the conservation of ancient monuments: an interdisciplinary study

A study by fine arts conservators and biologists has been made on biodeterioration by lichens of historic monuments. The lichens present on the Fossanova Abbey have been identified; samples were taken with a scalpel from the cloister, tiburium, apse, etc., removing only a minimum portion of the stone substrata. The classification has supplied only qualitative data, and it is given jointly and separately for each zone chosen as the most representative. The lichens most frequent are Verrucaria glaucina, Lepraria incana, Buellia canescens , and the various species of the Calaplaca genus. Further problems to be resolved: study of macro-and microclimatic conditions and atmospheric pollution, closer collaboration on site between fine arts conservators and biologists, improved sampling methodology and quantitative analysis, and the significance of the presence of lichens on ancient monuments.