Year-end Sale % OFF 
Abstract
The seasonally dry subtropical forest, especially the Espinal forest in central Argentina (one of the most fragmented ecoregions), is affected by intensive agricultural activity. These activities are the main anthropogenic sources of atmospheric nitrogen compounds and their effects on lichens have been extensively studied, making them excellent ecological indicators. However, in the Espinal forest, the agricultural emissions are not monitored therefore analysis of the response of lichen diversity to these activities has a fundamental role in providing baseline data for monitoring. We analyzed changes in the frequency of families and genera of epiphytic lichen communities in 39 circular buffer areas at different scales comprising crop production, stock farming (feedlots), grazing and forest. Significant correlations at different taxonomic levels were detected in relation to land use. Frequency of Physciaceae increased with an increasing area of cropland to a distance of 600 m. Likewise a positive correlation was observed between the frequency of Collemataceae and the forest area. At genus level, Physcia presented a different response to livestock according to the intensity of production, since the frequency of these species increased in forest patches surrounded by grazing but decreased in areas with livestock farming where the stocking density is higher. This result could indicate an eutrophication process in the Espinal ecosystem, even for Physcia species. Our results can be used to start a list of indicator species to impact of agricultural in forest ecosystems.
Highlights
The conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural land causes the loss, fragmentation or degradation of the habitats available for many species and, it is one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide
We explored correlations between the frequency of Physciaceae, Parmeliaceae, Teloschistaceae, Collemataceae, Verrucariaceae and Ramalinaceae and the agricultural land use at different distances
The results of Generalized Mixed Models (GLMM) showed that the frequency of Physciaceae increased with increasing cropland area to a distance of 600 m but it did not show any significant correlations with other land uses (Table 3, Figure 2)
Summary
The conversion of natural ecosystems to agricultural land causes the loss, fragmentation or degradation of the habitats available for many species and, it is one of the major threats to biodiversity worldwide. In addition to the loss of habitat, agricultural activities, mainly intensive farming with fertilizers and intensive animal husbandry, have a great impact on the atmosphere (Fao, 2006). These activities are the main anthropogenic sources of atmospheric nitrogen compounds (Galloway et al, 2003) and their effects on terrestrial vegetation and lichens has been widely reported (Aguillaume et al, 2017; Boltersdorf and Werner, 2014; Frati et al, 2008, 2007; Krupa, 2003; Paoli et al, 2010). In South America, no studies have classified lichen species according to their N-tolerance
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
