Abstract
The epiphytic lichen flora of 25 European ICP-IM monitoring sites, all situated in areas remote from air pollution sources, was statistically related to measured levels of SO 2in air, NH 4 +, NO 3 − and SO 4 2− in precipitation, annual bulk precipitation, and annual average temperature. Significant regression models were calculated for eleven acidophytic species. Several species show a strong negative correlation with nitrogen compounds. At concentrations as low as 0·3 mg N l −1in precipitation, a decrease of the probability of occurrence is observed for Bryoria capillaris, B. fuscescens, Cetraria pinastri, Imshaugia aleurites and Usnea hirta. The observed pattern of correlations strongly suggests a key role of NH 4 + in determining the species occurrence, but an additional role of NO 3 − cannot be ruled out. Some species show a distinct response to current levels of SO 2as well. It may be concluded that long distance nitrogen air pollution has strong influence on the occurrence of acidophytic lichen species.
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