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Editor’s Choice Award

Growth rates and sexual reproduction in Dolichousnea longissima transplanted along a trans-Himalayan elevational gradient

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 November 2026

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Type
Editorial
Information
The Lichenologist , Volume 58 , Issue 5 , September 2026, pp. 187
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the British Lichen Society

In 2023 The Lichenologist initiated its Editor’s Choice Award, aiming to show appreciation for a published paper (per calendar year) that has delivered an outstanding contribution to lichenology, and for which we can commend either an individual or team of scientistsReference Dal Forno, Ellis and Myllys 1. The inaugural Award was made for a paper published in 2024, and now, in the second year for a paper published in 2025, the Editor’s Choice Award has been granted to: Growth rates and sexual reproduction in Dolichousnea longissima transplanted along a trans-Himalayan elevational gradient by F. R. Worthy, A. C. Yin, L. S. Wang and X. Y. Wang.

Some exceptional papers were published in 2025, and the choice was therefore a difficult one. However, Worthy et al. combined a comprehensive range of methods to provide an extraordinarily wide-ranging investigation into the identity, reproductive biology, and climate change response of the iconic Dolichousnea longissima, based on a carefully data-logged space-for-time translocation with 960 experimental thallus strands. Meticulous experimentation and detailed anatomical measurements were used to tease apart putative warming and drying effects on an interaction between thallus growth, reproductive investment, as well as photobiont and biomass resource allocations affecting the lichen’s performance under climate change.

As one of The Lichenologist Editors noted:

‘This study provides a strong and multifaceted contribution to lichen ecology by combining phylogenetic and long-term field experimental approaches (3 years), notably to better understand phenotypic plasticity and to provide new evidence that sexual reproduction (apothecia formation) is environmentally driven in this group of lichens, where different species are sometimes still distinguished based on this character (e.g. Usnea florida v. U. subfloridana). The study also links the results to conservation concerns, particularly in relation to climate change and – considering wider trophic relationships – for the survival of a rare species of primate.’

On behalf of the Editorial Board, the authors are warmly thanked for their contribution and congratulated for their achievement.

Additionally, we take this opportunity to sincerely thank all our published authors for continuing to support The Lichenologist by submitting their excellent science and our Editors for reviewing manuscripts specifically for this Award, in addition to their regular service to the journal.

Presented by:

Manuela Dal Forno, Chair of the Awards Committee, and on behalf of The Lichenologist Editorial Team

Footnotes

Note: The Editor’s Choice Award was established to highlight and celebrate outstanding contributions to lichenology, acknowledging both scientific excellence and the broader impact of research efforts. This award is not merely about recognizing the ‘best’ paper but about honouring individuals and teams who have made significant and sometimes unconventional strides in advancing the field. Nominations can be made through our manuscript submission system, or by email.

References

Dal Forno, M, Ellis, C and Myllys, L (2023) The Lichenologist Editor’s Choice Award. Lichenologist 55, 441.10.1017/S0024282923000592CrossRefGoogle Scholar