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Still the tranquility of the cemetery invites visitors to think about the dead, but now the church of England asking people across the country to look for surprising signs of life in them.
Graves are a haven for lichen, with more than 700 of the 2,000 British species recorded so far in English churchyards and cemeteries. According to church surveys, many sites have over 100 species on the stonework, trees and pastures.
This summer, the church is conducting a nature census in cemeteries across the country. From June 8 to 16, they are asking people to visit their local cemetery, write down what species they find and send it to the church.
A lichen is a complex life form composed of a stable symbiotic relationship between a fungus and algae or cyanobacteria. They are very important as habitat for small invertebrates and stabilize soil pH, as well as carry out water and nutrient capture and cycling. They play a crucial role in the environment, but many of their preferred habitats, including ancient trees, are under threat.
The various rocks and building materials in churchyards and cemeteries provide good habitat for many lichen species. Because graves and stonework in cemeteries are left untouched for many years, lichen can grow in peace. Due to the slow aging of the tombstones and the different ages of the stonework, the surface varies from rough to smooth, shaded to exposed, wet to dry, horizontal to vertical. They all provide different niches for lichens.
Graham Usher, the Bishop of Norwich and the Church of England’s head of environmental affairs, said: “I hope many congregations will take part… Last year I particularly enjoyed finding out about some of the colorful rare lichens that grow on tombstones. All these wonderful species are part of God’s rich creation, reminding us that churchyards are places of the living, not just the dead.
Those running the scheme hope that this year people will look for and find particularly rare lichens.
Harriet Carty, director of the charity Caring for God’s Acre, said: “During Love Your Burial Ground Week people recorded over 80 species of lichen with wonderful names such as common orange lichen, reticulate shield lichen, crab’s eye and dark cow . Old churchyards and cemeteries are particularly important for lichen conservation, especially in areas with few natural rock outcrops. Some grow very slowly – sometimes less than half a millimeter per year. An individual lichen can be almost as old as the rock on which it grows.
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“To spot them, look at stonework, tree branches and even old notice boards. To submit entries during the week, the easiest way is to use a free app called iNaturalist and join the Beautiful Burial Grounds project. The app allows you to take a photo and helps with identification.
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