Story perspectives

Orange Lichens Guide Fossil Discovery in Alberta Park

11/5/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers led by Dr. Brian Pickles from the University of Reading found that orange lichens Rusavskia elegans and Xanthomendoza trachyphylla indicate fossil-rich areas at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada.
The orange lichens cover up to 50% of exposed fossil bones.
Drones with specialized sensors detect these lichens from 30 meters above ground by their spectral signatures, enabling remote-area discovery and reduced environmental impact.
The findings were published in Current Biology.

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Story summary

Researchers led by Dr. Brian Pickles from the University of Reading found that orange lichens Rusavskia elegans and Xanthomendoza trachyphylla indicate fossil-rich areas at Dinosaur Provincial Park, Alberta, Canada.
The orange lichens cover up to 50% of exposed fossil bones.
Drones with specialized sensors detect these lichens from 30 meters above ground by their spectral signatures, enabling remote-area discovery and reduced environmental impact.
The findings were published in Current Biology.