Eight species of lichens; one species of alga (Spirogyra) and moss (Bryum argentinum) were collected from two different altitudes of central Himalayan region and analysized for Chlorophyll, carotenoid and protein contents. Total chlorophyll and protein content were higher in most of lichen species growing at lower altitudinal region of Pithoragarh where as carotenoids were higher in all cryptogams growing at higher altitudinal region of Bagheshwar. Increase in carotenoids in species growing at higher altitudes suggests a protective role to photosynthetic pigments against the intense UV radiations.
Altitudes, Carotenoids, Chlorophyll, Cryptogams, UV-radiations
