Ontogenesis of the Lichen Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. in Plant Communities of the Boreal Zone

Abstract

The paper describes the ontogenesis of the epiphytic lichen Lobaria pulmonaria. The studies were carried out in the Karelian forest communities with the period since the last disturbance ranging from 80 to 450 years. Based on the concept of a discrete description of plants and lichens, four periods and 14 age-related states have been distinguished in L. pulmonaria’s ontogenesis. Each ontogenetic state of L. pulmonaria is characterized by a certain thallus size as well as by the presence and the level of development of vegetative diaspores and apothecia on the thallus surface. The possible variants of the species ontogenesis are described.