Biodiversity and conservation of terricolous lichens and bryophytes in continental lowlands of northern Italy: the role of different dry habitat types

Gabriele Gheza,Chiara Lelli,Silvia Assini,Juri Nascimbene,Helmut Mayrhofer,Lorenzo Marini

doi:10.1007/s10531-020-02034-1

Abstract

In dry habitats of European lowlands terricolous lichens and bryophytes are almost neglected in conservation practises, even if they may strongly contribute to biodiversity. This study aims at (a) testing the role of heathlands, acidic and calcareous dry grasslands for lichen and bryophyte diversity and conservation in lowland areas of northern Italy characterized by high human impact and habitat fragmentation; (b) detecting the effect of environmental drivers and vegetation dynamics on species richness and composition. Lichens, bryophytes, vascular plants, and environmental variables were recorded in 287 circular plots for 75 sites. Our results indicate that heathlands, acidic and calcareous dry grasslands host peculiar terricolous lichen and bryophyte communities that include several species of conservation concern. Thus, each habitat provides a complementary contribution to lichen and bryophyte diversity in continental lowland landscapes. Furthermore, in each habitat different factors drive species richness and composition with contrasting patterns between lichens and bryophytes. In terms of conservation, our results indicate that management of lowland dry habitats should act at both local and landscape scales. At local scale, vegetation dynamics should be controlled in order to avoid biodiversity loss due to vegetation dynamics and wood encroachment. At the landscape scale, patches of all the three habitats should be maintained to maximize regional diversity.

Highlights

Conservation efforts and protected areas are mainly targeted for ‘‘charismatic species’’, leaving many overlooked taxa almost unprotected (Darbyshire et al 2017; Rubio-Salcedo et al 2013)
We addressed four questions: (1) Do lichen and bryophyte species richness and composition differ among heathlands, acidic dry grasslands and calcareous dry grasslands? (2) Which environmental factors drive the patterns of species richness and composition in these habitats? (3) Is vegetation dynamics a driver? (4) Are biodiversity patterns consistent between lichens and bryophytes?
4 species are included in the Habitats Directive (Cladonia portentosa, Leucobryum glaucum, Sphagnum compactum, S. papillosum) and 7 lichens are of conservation concern due to their rarity (Cladonia coccifera, C. peziziformis, C. strepsilis, C. uncialis, Dibaeis baeomyces, Pycnothelia papillaria, Stereocaulon condensatum)

Summary

Introduction

Conservation efforts and protected areas are mainly targeted for ‘‘charismatic species’’, leaving many overlooked taxa almost unprotected (Darbyshire et al 2017; Rubio-Salcedo et al 2013). This approach may lead to an unaware, but relevant, loss of biodiversity. Biodiversity and Conservation (2020) 29:3533–3550 the maintenance of these overlooked organisms is still a challenge in nature conservation and protection (Nascimbene et al 2013)

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Conclusion