International Conventions, Laws, and Ethics in Lichenology

Mohammad Sohrabi

Lichenology, as a subdiscipline of biology that spans taxonomy, ecology, conservation, and biotechnology, is increasingly influenced by international legal frameworks, policy instruments, and ethical standards. The study and collection of lichens often intersect with issues such as biodiversity conservation, intellectual property rights, indigenous knowledge, access and benefit-sharing (ABS), and compliance with environmental regulations. The international community has recognized the importance of preserving biodiversity and regulating the use of biological resources, including lichens, through a variety of conventions, laws, and ethical principles.

This document outlines the major categories of international frameworks and their implications for lichenological research, collection, and data sharing.

1. Biodiversity Conservation and Access/Benefit-Sharing Frameworks

These instruments regulate access to genetic resources (such as lichens) and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their use.

1.1. Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD, 1992)

• Scope: A global treaty to conserve biodiversity, promote sustainable use, and ensure fair and equitable benefit-sharing.
  
  

• Relevance to Lichenology: Researchers must obtain prior informed consent (PIC) and mutually agreed terms (MAT) before accessing lichen specimens from signatory countries. Collection permits, benefit-sharing agreements, and collaboration with local institutions are often required.
  
  

1.2. Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing (2010)

• Scope: Supplementary to the CBD, it provides a legal framework for implementing ABS principles.
  
  

• Implication: Affects both field collection of lichens and the downstream use of lichen DNA or biochemical compounds. Researchers must document access procedures and report usage in publications and data repositories.
  
  

1.3. International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)

• While focused on crop species, certain cryptogams including some lichens used in traditional practices may be indirectly affected.
  
  

2. Environmental Protection and Conservation Legislation

These frameworks provide guidelines for habitat protection, species conservation, and the regulation of collecting biological specimens.

2.1. CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, 1975)

• Relevance: Although lichens are not typically listed under CITES, rare epiphytic or tree-dwelling species that co-occur with protected plants may be indirectly affected. Export of lichen samples must consider associated species.
  
  

2.2. National and Regional Biodiversity Laws

• Countries often have specific legislation (e.g., Wildlife Acts, Forest Acts) regulating:
  
  

  • Collection permits
    
    

  • Export restrictions
    
    

  • Protected species lists
    
    

  • These national laws must be consulted before conducting fieldwork in any region.
    
    

2.3. European Habitats Directive (1992)

• Scope: Protects habitats and species in the European Union, including some lichen-rich habitats (e.g., calcareous grasslands, old-growth forests).
  
  

• Relevance: Collecting lichens from these habitats may require environmental impact assessments and special permits.
  
  

3. Scientific Integrity and Bioethics

Ethical practice in lichenology includes responsible data collection, community engagement, and scientific transparency.

3.1. International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants (ICNafp)

• Scope: Governs the naming of lichen taxa.
  
  

• Implication: Ensures consistency and clarity in taxonomy. Type specimens must be deposited in public herbaria and follow publication standards.
  
  

3.2. Nagoya–Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress

• Relevance: Provides guidance on liability and redress in cases where organisms, including those modified through biotechnology, cause damage to biodiversity. While not directly affecting lichen research, it informs ethical considerations in symbiotic and synthetic biology studies.
  
  

3.3. Ethical Standards for Field Research

• Principles:
  
  

  • Minimize ecological disturbance during field collection.
    
    

  • Avoid over-collection, particularly of rare species.
    
    

  • Acknowledge local collaborators and indigenous knowledge.
    
    

  • Follow the “first do no harm” principle in conservation-sensitive areas.
    
    

3.4. Data Sharing and Open Science Policies

• Repositories like GBIF, GenBank, and Index Fungorum require transparent metadata, specimen vouchers, and compliance with access regulations.
  
  

4. Intellectual Property and Traditional Knowledge

Lichen metabolites and their uses (e.g., dyes, medicines, bioindicators) may be subject to intellectual property (IP) and cultural sensitivity.

4.1. World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

• Scope: Addresses protection of traditional knowledge, including ethnolichenological uses.
  
  

• Relevance: Researchers must consider IP rights when publishing on traditional uses of lichens and involve local communities in benefit-sharing agreements.
  
  

4.2. UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage

• Recognizes traditional ecological knowledge, including lichen-related knowledge held by indigenous and local communities.
  
  

5. Institutional and Collection Ethics

Herbaria, fungaria, and research institutions are bound by ethical policies in collecting, storing, and sharing lichen specimens.

5.1. The Index Herbariorum and International Herbarium Exchange Code

• Scope: Sets standards for international specimen exchange and curation.
  
  

• Application: Lichenologists must respect reciprocal sharing, avoid illegal collections, and document provenance.
  
  

5.2. Codes of Conduct for Museums and Natural History Institutions (e.g., ICOM Code of Ethics)

• Guide the ethical acquisition, storage, and display of biological collections.
  
  

• Encourage transparency, decolonization, and repatriation where applicable.
  
  

The practice of lichenology is deeply embedded in international conventions, national laws, and ethical norms. Compliance with legal frameworks such as the CBD and Nagoya Protocol is not only a legal requirement but also a moral imperative for sustainable and equitable science. Lichenologists must stay informed and proactive in aligning their research with evolving global standards, ensuring that the study and conservation of these vital organisms remain ethically and legally sound.