Overview
Klaus Kalb (born 1942) is a German lichenologist and an authority on tropical lichens. Born in Nuremberg, he studied at the University of Erlangen–Nuremberg before pursuing a career that significantly advanced the field of lichenology, particularly in Brazil. Kalb's work in São Paulo from 1978 to 1981 led to a collaboration with Brazilian lichenologist Marcelo Pinto Marcelli, which is considered a model for non-commercial benefit-sharing in taxonomic research. He later became an associate professor at the University of Regensburg and is known for editing the exsiccata series Lichenes Neotropici. Kalb's contributions to lichenology include over 120 scientific publications, the description of numerous new species, and the development of a substantial lichen collection.
His work has been recognised through various honours, including four lichen genera and numerous species named after him, as well as a Festschrift published in 2007 to mark his retirement.
Biography
was described as a new species by Kalb and colleagues in 2004. starting with 2017 together with André Aptroot. Kalb's approach to collaboration and mentorship has been praised for embodying the spirit of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Nagoya Protocol, more than a decade before the CBD was established. His work with Brazilian lichenologists has led to the training of multiple generations of researchers in the field. In 2014, the University of Wisconsin herbarium purchased Kalb's lichen collection of 60,000 specimens for $75,000. With the acquisition of Kalb's collection, rich in tropical and European specimens, the herbarium houses about 70% of the world's known lichen taxa.
Recognition
In 2007, on the occasion of his retirement, Kalb was honoured with a Festschrift, featuring 24 scientific papers written by 51 authors. The Festschrift included a publication list, a list of taxa described by him and of taxa named after him.
Eponyms
Four lichen genera have been named in honour of Kalb: Kalbiana ; Kalbographa ; Kalbionora ; and Klauskalbia . Many species have also been named to honour Kalb.
These include: Acanthothecis kalbii ; Acanthotrema kalbii ; Astrochapsa kalbii ; Byssoloma kalbii Caloplaca kalbiorum ; Chaenothecopsis kalbii Chapsa kalbii ; Cladina kalbii ; Coenogonium kalbii ; Compsocladium kalbii ; Enterographa kalbii ; Gyalideopsis kalbii ; Heterodermia kalbii ; Hypotrachyna kalbii ; Hypotrachyna klauskalbii ; Lecanora kalbiana ; Lecanora klauskalbii ; Lecidea kalbii ; Leptogium kalbii ; Megalospora kalbii ; Musaespora kalbii ; Ocellularia kalbii ; Opegrapha blakii ; Opegrapha kalbii ; Pertusaria kalbii ; Phaeographis kalbii ; Phyllopsora kalbii ; Physcia kalbii ; Piccolia kalbii ; Pseudocyphellaria kalbi ; Pseudoparmelia kalbiana ; Rinodina kalbii ; Roselliniella kalbii ; Trichothelium kalbii ; Usnea kalbiana ; Xanthoparmelia kalbii ; Xanthoparmelia klauskalbii ; Xanthoparmelia neokalbii ; and Lecanora kalbii .
Selected publications
As of 2012, Kalb had about 120 scientific publications, particularly on tropical lichens. Some of his major works include: * * * * * *
See also
* :Category:Taxa named by Klaus Kalb