A review on lichen diversity studies in Northeast Asia

The Northeast Asian region is characterized by unique geographical and climatic conditions which harbor a rich diversity of lichens. Lichens in Northeast Asia are understudied as there is a lack of comprehensive studies synthesizing scientific knowledge on this group. This paper compiles a detailed historical overview of lichen research in various countries across Northeast Asia, including China, Japan, the Korean Peninsula, the Russian Far East, and Mongolia. The paper summarizes the current state of knowledge as well as future research trajectories on lichens for each country. We describe the inception of lichen research, major publications, key researchers and institutions involved in these studies, and a catalogue of lichens described in each nation.