Abstract
The Košice Zoological Garden offers a wide range of habitats from sunny exposed meadows, hedges and semi-natural well-lit to shaded forests with brooks together with concrete paths and animal cages. To best represent the area, 14 locations were selected. Total of 61 species were recorded. Most of the recorded species were epiphytic or epigeic; epilithic species were limited to a few limestone boulders or anthropogenic substrates. Besides common and widespread nitrophilous species, two recorded species are critically endangered (Arthonia radiata, Parmelia submontana), four are endangered (Evernia prunastri, Flavoparmelia caperata, Graphis scripta and Pleurosticta acetabulum), one is vulnerable (Usnea hirta), while eight are listed as near threatened in Slovakia. The discovery of Bryoria sp. is particularly interesting because of missing records of this species in the area. The lowest altitude of 412 m a.s.l. for Parmelia submontana in Slovakia was recorded. The region provides a suitable environment for a wide spectrum of lichen species and is worth of our biodiversity conservation concerns.
Highlights
Zoological gardens around the world contribute to conservation of biodiversity and protection of the environment in general and have ability to raise public awareness of different species and habitats both exotic and native (Rodrigues-Guerra & GuillénSalazar 2012)
This paper presents the results of the first survey of lichen flora of the ZOO Košice, which is a part of an extensive biodiversity study of the ZOO
This prevalence of foliose lichens is apparent; families Parmeliaceae, Physciaceae and Teloschistaceae make up 51 % of the recorded species
Summary
Zoological gardens around the world contribute to conservation of biodiversity and protection of the environment in general and have ability to raise public awareness of different species and habitats both exotic and native (Rodrigues-Guerra & GuillénSalazar 2012). The visitors of the ZOO are only allowed to walk along routes close to animal cages with minimal impact on the rest of the garden. Before it became a ZOO, the area was a part of the agricultural countryside used as pastures, meadows and agricultural forests. The meadows are used mostly as pastures for horses and cattle belonging to the ZOO, only few areas being not regularly grazed. The adjacent forest is subject to only a little management
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