The sozological analysis as a possible tool for compiling lichenological parts of Red Data Books

The article highlights the principles of sozological analysis of lichens to form lists of threatened species, determination of their conservation status, and subsequent inclusion into regional Red Data Books. The analysis is useful when we lack information on distribution, quantitative indicators, and population structure of species to be protected. The lichen-adapted sozological matrix includes biological, ecological, biogeographical, sozological and economic characters. To approbate the method, we calculated the sozological index for four lichen species included into the new list of protected species of Russia and two common widespread lichens. The article demonstrates an approximate correlation between the indices of complex sozological assessment and the categories adopted in the International and national Red Data Books.