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The d 15 N values of stable nitrogen isotopes were determined in samples of organic matter (OM) of thalli of vagrant lichen Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis collected across 13 altitudinal levels within the range of 1550-3250 m above sea level of both steppes and highland meadows of the Khangai Plateau of Mongolia.No correlation between the d 15 N values of lichen OM and the altitude range was detected at the regional scale. However, at a local scale including vegetation type, botanical geographical area of Khangai, and mountain slope, the amount of the 15 N heavy isotope in lichen OM was found to be decreased with an altitude increase.

Biological soil crusts in the biogeocenoses of the dry steppes of the Khangai upland are formed by combinations of complexes of terricolous lichen synusiums composed of different lichen species and life forms. Lichens of seven life forms are represented in the studied lichen synusiums. The synusium of Xantho parmelia camtschadalis vagrant lichen occurs most often in the studied biogeocenoses.

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