Abundance Of Epiphytic Lichens Research Articles

Effect of host tree traits on the abundance of epiphytic lichens in a tropical Atlantic rainforest

Effect of host tree traits on the abundance of epiphytic lichens in a tropical Atlantic rainforest

Structural Features of a Post-Clear-Cutting Ecotone between 90-Year-Old Bilberry Spruce Forest and 35-Year-Old Herbs-Forbs Deciduous Stand

In a natural regeneration process, a community dominated by birch and aspen forms in the site 35 years after a bilberry-type spruce stand is logged down. The newly formed ecotone complex consists of four zones, each characterized by certain features of the ground vegetation and epiphytic vegetation structure. The transitional zones and the mature bilberry-type spruce forest feature a clear dominance of boreal dwarf shrubs (bilberry and cowberry). Another feature of the transitional zone is a greater role of hygrophytic mosses of the genera Polytrichum and Sphagnum. Meanwhile, the true mosses Pleurozium schreberi and Hylocomium splendens dominate under spruce forest canopy, and the moss cover in the young deciduous stand is virtually nonexistent. The structure of epiphytic vegetation depends on the habitat conditions—the surface of tree trunks in the transitional zone is better lit and drier than inside the tree stand, which results in a higher abundance of epiphytic lichens of the genus Cladonia. The deciduous–coniferous fine root biomass ratio is dependent on the tree stand structure and is unrelated to ecotone zones. Overall, studies have demonstrated that transitional zones have certain characteristic ecological and community features, which persist for a long time after tree stand removal.

Habitat Fragmentation and Lichen Diversity in Peri-Urban Woodlands: A Case Study in the Municipality of Potenza (Southern Italy).

The fragmentation of the natural habitat is a process that is exponentially increasing worldwide and represents one of the biggest threats to biological diversity. Habitat destruction and fragmentation have a major impact on landscapes and may also affect ecosystems, populations, and species. The ongoing anthropogenic process can result in habitat loss for some species, habitat creation for others, reduced patch size, and increased distance between patches, which may lead to local extinction. We analyzed the effects of patch size and isolation on lichens in Quercus pubescens woods surrounding the city of Potenza (south Italy). We randomly sampled 11 forest patches with homogeneous environmental variables using circular plots with a 10 m radius; the patches ranged from 0.3 to 30 ha. For each plot, we collected data about presence and abundance of epiphytic lichens. We performed the analyses at the patch level using linear regression and multivariate analysis, searching for effects on species richness, life forms, and community compositions. Multivariate analyses were used to study the effect of fragmentation on the structure of lichen vegetation. We investigated the main predictor of lichen species richness in habitat fragmentations and concluded that patch area per se is an important (positive) driver of lichen species richness in Mediterranean peri-urban forests.

The Role of Secondary Metabolites and Bark Chemistry in Shaping Diversity and Abundance of Epiphytic Lichens

Diversity of secondary lichen metabolites was studied in epiphytic lichens on six phorophytes—spruce, pine, birch, alder, aspen and poplar in the Middle Urals of Russia. Atranorin, usnic, fumarprotocetraric acid, zeorin, and gyrophoric acid were found in 31, 24, 23, 18, and 14 species, respectively, of 237 taxa collected. Seventy-seven species (i.e., 32% of total species documented) contained no secondary metabolites. Spectra of secondary metabolites of fruticose and foliose lichens varied on different phorophytes, while in crustose species the strong dependence on the tree species was not detected. This is different to the pH dependence of saxicolous lichens where crustose lichens were more susceptible to the rock chemistry. The results of Canonical Correspondence Analysis reveal the affinity of species containing depsides, depsidones or usnic acid to acidic substrata and those lacking secondary metabolites or containing terpenes and antraquinones to the pH-neutral bark. We suppose that phenolic compounds and flavonoids, as chemical constituents of bark, may interact with lichen symbioses and elements in phellem, and similarly to the lichen acids shape the affinity of species to the substrata.

Contrasting patterns of tree features, lichen, and plant diversity in managed and abandoned old-growth chestnut orchards of the northern Apennines (Italy)

In mountain regions of southern Europe, old-growth chestnut orchards maintained by traditional management were a key component of the economic, cultural, and ecological heritage. Currently, many stands are abandoned due to decreased economic sustainability even though, according to European policies, the loss of traditionally managed old-growth chestnut orchards should be contrasted to prevent biodiversity loss. In this study, we preliminarily mapped the remnants of old-growth chestnut orchards across a region of the northern Apennines (Italy) with a strong tradition of chestnut orchard cultivation. Then, we assessed the effects of management/abandonment in terms of tree features (e.g. size, crown structure, health conditions), occurrence and abundance of target epiphytic lichens, and richness and composition of understory vegetation. Our results revealed contrasting patterns of tree features, lichen, and plant diversity in managed and abandoned old-growth chestnut orchards of the northern Apennines, supporting the view that traditional management is fundamental for the long-term maintenance of healthy veteran trees, the enhancement of epiphytic lichens related to old-growth conditions, and plant diversity. This indicates that 1000 years of chestnut civilization represent a cultural heritage that benefits nature conservation, promoting a virtuous interplay between human activities and biodiversity. For this reason, policies aimed at sustaining traditional management in old-growth chestnut orchards are indispensable to avoid the degradation and loss of this habitat and its centuries-old cultural and ecological legacy.

Relationship between lichen diversity and air quality in urban region in Bourdj Bou Arriridj, Algeria

Abstract. Fatima A, Messaoud R, Takia L. 2019. Relationship between lichen diversity and air quality in urban region in Bourdj Bou Arriridj, Algeria. Biodiversitas 20: 2329-2339. The lichenic biodiversity can be an excellent instrument for measuring air quality biomonitoring in urban and industrial areas. Two bio-monitoring techniques were used to assess and map the levels of air quality in Bordj Bou Arreridj region (BBA), an urban area located in Eastern Algeria, and to identify species sensitive to air pollution. The first one was based on the diversity and abundance of epiphytic lichens, while the other technique was using two bio-indication indices. Epiphytic lichens were sampled from thirty-four stations chosen on the basis of the presence of suitable phorophytes on which it is possible to observe lichens. The assessment of lichen biodiversity was based on the calculation of lichenic abundance indices (LA) and the Shannon index (H'). For the determination of the different levels of air pollution, the indices of atmospheric purity (IAP) and lichen diversity (LDV) were used. There were 62 identified species belong to 19 families and 31 genera of lichens, among which crustacean and foliose thalli were the most common in the region. Lichen biodiversity decreased as the sampled location approaching industrial sources and road traffic. The IAP ranged from 16.19-79.82 and LDV values ranged from 12.50-52.16. The results showed a significant relationship between lichen diversity and air quality, and indicated low atmospheric pollution in the BBA region. This study allowed us to draw up a list of sensitive species and tolerant species to air pollution.

Using Growth Forms to Predict Epiphytic Lichen Abundance in a Wide Variety of Forest Types

Epiphytic richness is continuously declining due to forest fragmentation, logging, burning, agriculture, and livestock. The rate of species loss caused by habitat degradation and loss is more pronounced in Central and South America. Considering the extreme difficulty and time required to identify the more inconspicuous species, rapid diversity assessment methods need to be extrapolated throughout the world. This study correlated lichen growth forms and total epiphytic abundance across 119 forests located in Europe and Central-South America. A total of 54 papers were selected from specific databases focused on lichens. Additionally, data from several unpublished ecological studies were included. Linear regression models showed that epiphytic lichen abundance was highly and positively correlated with the number of growth forms at all geographical levels considered (i.e., Central-South American and European forests, and the combination of both). Thus, the use of growth forms may provide an alternative and complementary way to evaluate epiphytic diversity because most growth forms have cosmopolitan distribution and are easily recognizable.

Citizen science identifies the effects of nitrogen deposition, climate and tree species on epiphytic lichens across the UK

A national citizen survey quantified the abundance of epiphytic lichens that are known to be either sensitive or tolerant to nitrogen (N) deposition. Records were collected across the UK from over 10,000 individual trees of 22 deciduous species. Mean abundance of tolerant and sensitive lichens was related to mean N deposition rates and climatic variables at a 5 km scale, and the response of lichens was compared on the three most common trees (Quercus, Fraxinus and Acer) and by assigning all 22 tree species to three bark pH groups. The abundance of N-sensitive lichens on trunks decreased with increasing total N deposition, while that of N-tolerant lichens increased. The abundance of N-sensitive lichens on trunks was reduced close to a busy road, while the abundance of N-tolerant lichens increased. The abundance of N-tolerant lichen species on trunks was lower on Quercus and other low bark pH species, but the abundance of N-sensitive lichens was similar on different tree species. Lichen abundance relationships with total N deposition did not differ between tree species or bark pH groups. The response of N-sensitive lichens to reduced nitrogen was greater than to oxidised N, and the response of N-tolerant lichens was greater to oxidised N than to reduced N. There were differences in the response of N-sensitive and N-tolerant lichens to rainfall, humidity and temperature. Relationships with N deposition and climatic variables were similar for lichen presence on twigs as for lichen abundance on trunks, but N-sensitive lichens increased, rather than decreased, on twigs of Quercus/low bark pH species. The results demonstrate the unique power of citizen science to detect and quantify the air pollution impacts over a wide geographical range, and specifically to contribute to understanding of lichen responses to different chemical forms of N deposition, local pollution sources and bark chemistry.

Initial stages of recovery of epiphytic lichen communities after reduction of emissions from a copper smelter

Analysis has been made of changes in the species composition and abundance of epiphytic lichens on fir trees during the first decade after a sharp reduction of emissions from a large copper smelter in the Middle Urals. The results show that lichens have recolonized the area of the former lichen desert and that the abundance of lichen species in the impact and buffer zones has increased. However, a fairly long time is required before lichen communities in the vicinity of the smelter can recover to the background state, since species highly sensitive to pollution still occur only in the background area.

Significant decrease in epiphytic lichen diversity in a remote area in the European Alps, Austria

We present long-term (1993–2010) monitoring results of lichens from a remote site in Austria. Whereas gaseous pollution is negligible in this area, levels of long-range air pollution of S and N via rain and fog are high. Lichen cover on tree trunks have decreased significantly. Accordingly, we found that the population of all species had declined. The analyses demonstrated significant changes in lichen community composition. The lichen flora suffered a significant decrease in diversity. Our hypothesis is that the breakdown of epiphytic lichens is mainly due to eutrophication through long-term N deposition, and more particularly to ammonia in precipitation and in fog. Since many areas in the European Alps receive high wet deposition loads, a decrease in the abundance and diversity of epiphytic lichens is most probably a widespread phenomenon.

Fine‐scale distribution and abundance of epiphytic lichens: environmental filtering or local dispersal dynamics?

AbstractQuestionsHow are the fine‐scale spatial distribution and abundance of epiphytic lichens explained by factors related to environmental filtering and local dispersal? Are spatial distribution and abundance explained by the same underlying factors across sites for: (1) each species separately; or (2) groups of species with similar dispersal strategies?LocationTen lowland deciduous forests at the southwest coast of Norway (60ºN, 5ºE).MethodsWe investigated the spatial distribution and abundance, given occurrence, of 15 epiphytic Lobarion lichens in ten forest sites: six 1800‐m2 study sites and four 5000‐m2 study sites. We divided each site into a grid of 1‐m2 sampling units, marked all trees and recorded the abundance of individual lichen species. We assessed the relative impact of factors related to environmental filtering and local dispersal for each lichen species using multiple regressions and variation partitioning. Finally, to compare the results between species and between sites, we applied linear mixed effect models.ResultsWe found that the occurrence of lichen species on a tree is explained primarily by factors related to environmental filtering. The abundance of lichen species that occur on a tree is explained by a combination of environmental filtering and local dispersal, but the relative importance of these factors was found to vary greatly between sites. We found no differences in this respect between species with different dispersal strategies.ConclusionsOur results indicate that both environmental filtering and local dispersal dynamics are important processes explaining the distribution and abundance patterns of Lobarion lichens at fine spatial scales. However, spatial variations in environmental factors within sites interact with propagule distributions to produce a range of inter‐site variation. Accordingly, the relative importance of these two structuring mechanisms varies among sites, particularly in the case of abundance patterns. Since single‐site patterns are not readily generalized, we emphasize the importance of multiple study sites for evaluation of the role of different processes in shaping the spatial distribution patterns of species.

Association of spiders and lichen on Robben Island, South Africa: a case report

The present study is a first record of spider occurrence on Robben Island, South Africa. Some habitats were rich in lichens. As we know, lichens enhance wildlife habitat in less direct ways. The objective of the study was to examine the potential importance of lichens in enriching spider diversity and abundance. A total of 260 spiders (170 from lichens and 90 from bush) were collected following the visual search method over one year. Seasonal trends in overall species richness and abundance indicated that the relative density of spiders was greater in lichens than in bushes. The result suggests that habitat structure, such as branch size and epiphytic lichen abundance, can be an explanation for the greater number of spiders in lichen-rich patches of the island.

Lichens and bryophytes as indicators of old‐growth features in Mediterranean forests

This study is focused on the selection of variables affecting lichen and bryophyte diversity in Mediterranean deciduous forests. Plots representing two forest types (Fagus sylvatica and Quercus cerris forests) and two forest continuity categories (old‐growth (OG) and non‐OG forests) were selected in the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park (Italy). The presence and the abundance of bryophytes and epiphytic lichens were recorded. Structural variables of the forests and vascular plant species richness have been used as predictors. A strong positive correspondence between the two groups of organisms was found. Higher species richness and the distribution of rare species are related to OG stands, while a qualitative (species composition) rather than a quantitative (species richness) difference between the two forest types was observed. Some species elsewhere considered as indicators of forest continuity, such as Lobaria pulmonaria, Antitrichia curtipendula, and Homalothecium sericeum, are associated with OG forests, independently from forest type, suggesting that they can be regarded as suitable indicators also in Mediterranean forests. Finally, our results suggest that old trees, high levels of basal area, a broad range of diameter classes, and high understory diversity are the main structural features affecting cryptogamic communities, while no correlation was found with the occurrence of deadwood.

Fragment quality and matrix affect epiphytic performance in a Mediterranean forest landscape

Destruction and fragmentation of habitats represent one of the most important threats for biodiversity. Here, we examined the effects of fragmentation in Mediterranean forests on the epiphytic lichen Lobaria pulmonaria (Lobariaceae). We tested the hypothesis that not only the level of fragmentation affects L. pulmonaria populations, but also the quality of the habitat and the nature of the surrounding matrix affect them. The presence and abundance of the lichen was recorded on 2039 trees in a total of 31 stands. We recorded habitat quality and landscape variables at three hierarchical levels: tree, plot, and patch. We found that L. pulmonaria tends to occur in trees with larger diameters in two types of surveyed forests. In Quercus pyrenaica patches, the mean diameter of colonized trees was smaller, suggesting the importance of bark roughness. Factors affecting the presence and cover of the lichen in each type of forest were different. There was a strong positive influence of distance from a river in beech forests, whereas proximity to forest edge positively affected in oak forests. The influence of the surrounding matrix was also an important factor explaining the epiphytic lichen abundance.

Epiphytic lichen diversity and its dependence on bark chemistry in the northern Mongolian dark taiga

Epiphytic lichen diversity was studied in a dark taiga forest of Pinus sibirica, Abies sibirica and Picea obovata in the western Khentey Mountains, northern Mongolia. Though most lichen species occurred on all three tree species, lichen diversity was higher on Abies and Picea than on Pinus. On branches, lichen vegetation differed less between tree species than on the trunk. The occurrence of many Parmeliaceae species with a hydrophilic surface and of many species producing the dibenzofuran usnic acid gives evidence of the low deposition of acidic pollutants in the study area. The Mn content of bark, which is known to limit at high values the abundance of epiphytic lichens in coniferous forests of Europe and North America, is apparently not controlling the spatial distribution of epiphytic lichens in the dark taiga of Mongolia. This is attributed to the dry and cold winters in Mongolia, as high Mn is especially leached from the surface of trees under moist conditions at temperatures around the freezing point, when the contact between water droplets and the tree surface is particularly intensive. Such moist and cold weather conditions are frequent in most parts of the northern coniferous forests of Europe and North America, but are rare events in the most continental parts of Asia, i.e. in Mongolia and eastern Siberia.

Effects of reduced nitrogen compounds on epiphytic lichen communities in Mediterranean Italy

The effects of reduced nitrogen compounds on epiphytic lichen vegetation have been largely investigated in northern Europe. This paper reports for the first time results of a study carried out on pine trees in the Mediterranean basin. Contrary to the usual acidophytic lichen colonization of pine bark, in this case a nitrophytic lichen vegetation was found, suggesting that the study area is characterized by a diffuse eutrophication. Tree circumference, distance from the stock farms, bark pH and bark electrical conductivity emerged as the main factors influencing the distribution and abundance of epiphytic lichens in the study area. Both Hyperphyscia adglutinata and Xanthoria parietina were suitable local indicator species of high pine bark pH values. However, while X. parietina indicated high nitrogen dust pollution, H. adglutinata occurred also where there was an additional increase in bark pH caused by the release of high amounts of ammonia. The increased nitrogen availability caused by ammonium apparently had no effect on the occurrence of nitrophytes.

The multi-element content of the lichen Parmelia sulcata, soil, and oak bark in relation to acidification and climate

Understanding how biodiversity is influenced by changing atmospheric conditions is important for conservation, public policy and environmental health. In a recent study, an impact on two of the most abundant lichens in Europe ( Parmelia sulcata and Hypogymnia physodes) was recorded at Burnham Beeches lying 40 km west of London (UK) during unusual atmospheric conditions whilst other species remained unaffected. Bark and soil chemistry also influence lichen vitality and community composition. Correlations between element concentrations and element ratios in different samples help understand element cycling. To study this further, the multi-element content of the lichen P. sulcata and bark sampled in 2000 from 16 oak ( Quercus robur) trees at Burnham Beeches was compared with the same elements determined in 24 surface soils sampled in 2005 from beneath the same trees. Soil pH ranged from 4.1 to 6.7. Highly significant correlations ( p < 0.001) for Mn/Ca ratios in lichen versus bark, soil versus bark and soil versus lichen samples confirmed cycling via the soil–tree–lichen system. Similar Mn/Ca ratios were reported in coniferous forests where high Mn concentrations were shown to limit epiphytic lichen abundance. Soil acidification influences element bioavailability and bark chemistry in Burnham Beeches with implications for lichen diversity and health. Recovery was recorded in P. sulcata, including regeneration within monitoring quadrats. Biological systems are well known to be influenced by pollution episodes.

Effects of forest characteristics on the abundance of alectorioid lichens in northern Finland

Quantitative knowledge of the abundance of epiphytic alectorioid lichens (Bryoria spp., Alectoria spp., and Usnea spp.) is important when evaluating the carrying capacity of the winter pastures of semidomesticated reindeer (Rangifer tarandus tarandus (L., 1758)) and woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou (Gmelin, 1788)). This study, including a total of 234 sample plots, presents data on the biomass of alectorioid lichens in mature forests for the most common forest site types in the national parks of Oulanka, Pallas-Ounastunturi, and Lemmenjoki in northern Finland and relates them to forest stand characteristics. The biomass of alectorioid lichens on trees was estimated using the clump method in which the existing clumps of lichen thalli on branches are compared with clumps of lichens of known dry mass. Estimated biomasses were corrected by equations describing the ratio of estimated to measured biomass. We found the highest mean lichen biomasses (120 kg·ha–1) in subdry, Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) dominated sites above the timberline of Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.). Below that timberline, the highest lichen biomasses were found in fresh (productive) sites dominated by Norway spruce. There the site-specific differences were mainly associated with tree species composition. Though in many previous studies forest age has been an important indicator of total lichen biomass, in our study areas lichen abundance was most commonly correlated with total volume of forest stands. The correlation of biomass with forest volume suggests that substrate availability was the most important limiting factor for alectorioid lichens in our study area. However, it is premature to say whether that is a common feature in northern forests over larger geographic areas.

Manganese as a site factor for epiphytic lichens

Decreasing abundance of epiphytic lichens with increasing Mn supply from the substratum or from stemflow was found in several coniferous forests of Europe (Germany) as well as western (Montana, British Columbia) and eastern North America (New York State). Experiments carried out with Hypogymnia physodes and other species of chloro- and cyano-lichens suggest that these correlations are causal. High Mn concentrations e.g. reduce chlorophyll concentrations, chlorophyll fluorescence and degrade the chloroplast in lichen photobionts. Excess Mn inhibits the growth of soredia of H. physodes and causes damage in the fine- and ultra-structure of the soredia. Adult lichen thalli remain structurally unaffected by Mn. Manganese uptake does not result in membrane damage. Calcium, Mg, Fe and perhaps also Si alleviate Mn toxicity symptoms in H. physodes. Lecanora conizaeoides is not sensitive to Mn in laboratory experiments or in the field. The data suggest that high Mn concentrations are an important site factor for epiphytic lichens in coniferous forests that until recently has been overlooked. Manganese reaching the microhabitat of epiphytic lichens is primarily soil-borne and is usually not derived from pollution.

The significance of precipitation and substrate chemistry for epiphytic lichen diversity in spruce-fir forests of the Salish Mountains, northwestern Montana

The relevance of chemical site factors for the abundance of epiphytic lichens was studied in Picea engelmannii- Abies lasiocarpa forests of the Salish Mountains, northwestern Montana, USA. The Salish Mountains are an area with relatively low atmospheric pollutant load and low precipitation. Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) suggests that cover of several lichen species was limited by high Mn concentrations of bark or by high ratios of Mn to Ca, Mg and Fe. Mn in the bark is known primarily to derive from the soil. An effect of Mn concentration or Mn/Ca and Mn/Mg ratios was not found on A. lasiocarpa. This suggests that A. lasiocarpa deposits Mn in the bark in a physiologically inactive form as already known from A. balsamea. Precipitation chemistry was apparently less relevant for epiphytic lichen distribution in the Salish Mountains, as no correlations between element concentrations in stemflow and cover values were found and as amounts of stemflow were small. However, precipitation in the study year was less than average. The lacking significance of precipitation chemistry is probably the cause why epiphytic lichen vegetation differed less between living and dead trees in the Salish Mountains than in highly polluted coniferous forests studied by our group in Germany; in Germany, the difference between living and dead trees was attributed to reduced interception of pollutants from the atmosphere by trees with reduced crown surface. The result of the present study that small-scale variation of epiphytic lichen abundance is only partly explainable by chemical parameters gives rise to the assumption that microclimate (e.g., moisture), which has not been systematically explored, could be an important site factor for epiphytic lichens in the Salish Mountains. Furthermore, tree age was identified by CCA as a relevant site factor for lichens on P. engelmannii.