Ove Almborn

Ove Almborn (30 July 1914 – 6 March 1992) was a Swedish lichenologist and educator. Born in Ronneby, Sweden, Almborn grew up in an environment that nurtured his early interest in botany and lichens. His early academic interests and discoveries in new lichens inspired his doctoral dissertation, which focused on the distribution and ecology of lichens in South Scandinavia. After graduating from Lund University, he was employed at its department of systematic botany, initially as a senior lecturer and later as the curator of the botanical collections at its botanical garden.

Almborn's research advanced the understanding of lichen funga in southern Scandinavia and Southern Africa. 'Funga' refers to the fungal components of these ecosystems. He conducted extensive fieldwork and published numerous papers on the subject that contributed to the knowledge of lichen biogeography and ecology. He also edited the Lichenes Africani exsiccata series and authored multiple studies on African lichens. Almborn profoundly impacted his students' careers and personal growth through dedicated mentorship. He was known for his extensive botanical literature collection and his supportive mentorship of students in systematic botany.

Early life and education
Ove Almborn was born on 30 July 1914 in Ronneby, located in the southeastern Swedish province of Blekinge. Almborn's fascination with botany began in his youth in Ronneby. Bertil Hedvall introduced Ove Almborn to lichenology, sparking his interest in the subject during high school in the nearby city of Karlskrona. Almborn attended Lund University in 1933. In university, he studied chemistry, zoology, and botany. Almborn's first contribution to the lichenological literature was a 1935 publication exploring the lichen biodiversity occurring on the historic Lund Cathedral. Influenced significantly by Gunnar Degelius and other figures from the Uppsala circle led by Gustaf Einar Du Rietz, Almborn's doctoral thesis in 1948 reflected the Uppsala school's approach to plant ecology and phytosociology. The thesis focussed on the distribution and ecology of certain lichens in southern Scandinavia. His academic journey led him to discover unique lichens and inspired his doctoral dissertation on the distribution and ecology of South Scandinavian lichens. His findings hinted at broader applications for conservation efforts.

Career
After obtaining his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1936 (which qualified him as a high-school teacher), Almborn was appointed as a docent at Lund University. He began research during this period focused on exploring the lichen funga of Southern Africa.

Academic and field research
In 1955, Almborn conducted a study of the lichens on the island of Hallands Väderö. This research not only helped document the ecological diversity of the island but also set the stage for his future explorations and contributions to the understanding of lichen funga in various regions.

Almborn's research in Southern Africa began in 1953, funded by a grant from the Swedish Natural Science Research Council. There, he expanded understanding of the region's lichen populations and fostered international collaborations. During his first trip, he explored and collected lichen specimens in South Africa and Mozambique. He returned in 1983–84 to gather more material, further enriching his research. Between 1956 and 1991, Almborn edited 150 issues of the Lichenes Africani exsiccata series, and authored multiple additional studies on African lichens.

From 1954 to 1966, Almborn balanced his role as a high school teacher in Malmö with his passion for lichenology, contributing to the field through various publications and research. His dedication to education was evident in his efforts to integrate research with teaching. Much of his spare time during this period was spent building up collections of lichens.

Educational contributions
In 1966, Almborn became the curator of the herbarium at the Lund University Botanical Museum, where he furthered his contributions to botany and lichenology, maintaining high standards and fostering international collaboration. He was known for his extensive collection of botanical literature and for mentoring students with a supportive and systematic approach.

In the late 1940s, Hans Runemark worked on the yellow species of the crustose lichen genus Rhizocarpon, with Ove Almborn as his supervisor. In 1971, Almborn met Ingvar Kärnefelt. He subsequently became Kärnefelt's supervisor, guiding his graduate studies. Kärnefelt eventually established his own career as a renowned lichenologist.

Ove Almborn was celebrated not only for his pioneering research in lichenology but also for his profound impact as a mentor. His approach to mentorship personalized the academic experience, recognizing and nurturing the unique strengths and interests of each student. This commitment to individual growth is exemplified by his relationship with Ingvar Kärnefelt, one of his notable graduate students. Kärnefelt recalls their first meeting in 1970 as the start of a lifelong friendship and professional relationship, during which Almborn provided guidance and expert insight into the complexities of lichenology. Through field trips, international collaborations, and informal gatherings, Almborn created a supportive academic community that enhanced scientific knowledge and contributed to the development of many individuals associated with Lund University's botanical department.

Almborn retired in 1980, but continued to engage in lichenology, and published several dozen papers after his retirement. Despite his extensive research on the genera Pertusaria and Teloschistes, Almborn was unable to see these projects to their completion. Nevertheless, his interim contributions in 1989 and 1992 considerably advanced scientific understanding of these groups.

Personal
Early in his career, Almborn forged connections with an extensive network of peers, gaining international recognition as a lichenologist. He was a frequent attendee at academic conferences, where he relished the social ambiance of congress dinners and similar gatherings. His anecdotes about renowned botanists engaged and entertained his colleagues, contributing to his scholarly presence. David Galloway wrote of him: "A figure of impressive physical dimension and deportment he was rather stately but gentle and very kindly in manner. Always the sartorially correct, courteous gentleman, he could at times be a devastatingly funny raconteur and he had a well-developed almost "English" sense of humour which was allowed to flash from time to time to illuminate an at times rather forbidding exterior."

Almborn, a private individual, died alone in his home in Lund on 6 March 1992. His research and dedicated mentorship advanced the field of lichenology and the botanical community at Lund University. He is recognized for his contributions to science, as well as his reputation for kindness and generosity. Almborn was deeply interested in botanical literature, and his collection, which included most of the published works of Carl Linnaeus, was described by Kärnefelt as "one of the best in the world". Almborn donated his extensive lichenological library and personal collections to the Botanical Museum in Lund.

Legacy
Ove Almborn's legacy in the field of lichenology is marked by his extensive research, substantial contributions to botanical literature, and mentorship of future scientists. His meticulous studies, particularly on the lichen flora of southern Scandinavia and southern Africa, significantly advanced the understanding of these ecosystems. His doctoral research became a foundational work, particularly influencing the 'Endangered lichens in southern Sweden' project conducted from 1987 to 1996, providing baseline data crucial for monitoring and protecting lichen biodiversity in the region.

Almborn was a prolific contributor to lichenological literature, writing about 100 reviews that critically evaluated emerging research and recent publications, and helped guide the discipline's development. His insights helped shape the field, ensuring rigorous academic standards and fostering a scholarly dialogue among his peers.

Beyond his scientific contributions, Almborn's dedication to the botanical community at Lund University was evident in his generous donations. He bequeathed his extensive lichenological library and personal collections to the Botanical Museum at Lund University. This act not only enriched the museum's holdings but also secured a valuable resource for ongoing and future botanical research. His donation included most of the published works of Carl Linnaeus, making it one of the world's premier collections of botanical literature. These contributions significantly enriched the field of lichenology and botanical studies, ensuring that his influence would continue to be recognized long after his passing.

Eponyms
In 1981, Theodore Esslinger named the lichen genus Almbornia after Almborn, describing him as the "foremost student of South African lichens"; the genus has since been subsumed into Xanthoparmelia. Several lichenologists dedicated the genus Ovealmbornia (family Teloschistaceae) to him in 2009, noting his extensive contributions to the knowledge of African lichen flora. Several species have also been named to honour Almborn. These include: Diploschistes almbornii ; Parmelia almbornii ; Collema almbornii ; Rinodina almbornii ; Caloplaca almbornii ; Lithothelium almbornii ; Neofuscelia almbornii ; Psora almborniana ; Micarea almbornii ; and Xanthoparmelia ovealmbornii.

Selected publications
Kärnefelt provides a complete list of all of Almborn's 141 scientific publications from 1935 to 1992 in his 1994 obituary. Some representative works are listed here: