Epiphytic Lichen Species Research Articles

Vertical Distribution of Epiphytic Lichens on Quercus robur in Görükle Campus Area of Bursa Uludag University (Bursa, Türkiye)

In this study, the vertical change of epiphytic lichen species on Quercus robur was examined in Johansson zones based on frequency and cover values. A total of 20 epiphytic lichen species were determined. Total frequency and cover values of epiphytic lichen species show significant changes in Johansson regions. Beta diversity and Shannon diversity index values shows significant change with Johansson zone pairs. There is a significant difference in epiphytic lichen diversity between the Z1Z2 zone pair corresponding to the base and middle part of trunk on trees, and the Z4Z5 zone pair corresponding to the branches. Athallia pyracea, Catillaria nigroclavata, Physcia adscendens and Rinodina pyrina were positively correlated with Johansson zones, while Phaeophyscia orbicularis was negatively correlated with Johansson zones. A. pyracea is an indicator species especially for thin branches (Z5). P. adscendens is an indicator for Z4 and Ph. orbicularis is for the trunk part of the tree (Z1, Z2 and Z3).

Hot-spots of epiphytic and epixylic lichens in fragmented temperate forests are underpinned by microhabitat heterogeneity and spatiotemporal habitat continuity

Habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation are major causes of the ongoing decline of epiphytic and epixylic lichen species in temperate forests throughout Europe. We investigated how extant species richness and composition of epiphytic and epixylic lichen communities in ten hot-spots of lichen diversity in the Czech Republic reflected the occurrence and properties of potentially suitable microhabitats and habitats. At each hot-spot, we surveyed a pair of 1-ha square plots, one in (over-)mature managed and the second in unmanaged forest. In total, we recorded 513 epiphytic and epixylic lichen species which represent a substantial part of lichen biota in Central Europe. Species richness and composition of lichen communities were explained by microhabitat heterogeneity, and also by the area of near-natural forest habitats (habitat extent) at the landscape scale. In addition, lichen species richness and number of red-listed species were explained by a categorial variable distinguishing mature managed and unmanaged plots, used as a proxy of temporal continuity of natural succession. This finding illustrates that temporal continuity of natural succession in unmanaged forests likely had an extra stimulus for lichen communities that may not be reflected by observed aspects of forest habitats. Hence, we confirmed indispensable positive effects of (micro)habitat heterogeneity, and spatial and temporal continuity for preserved hot-spots of lichen diversity in Central Europe. Due to generally slow colonization-extinction dynamics of epiphytic and epixylic lichens we call for strengthening microhabitat heterogeneity, and the spatial and temporal continuity of European temperate forests at the landscape scale.

Epiphytic bryophyte and lichen transplant niches along an elevational gradient in Pacific Northwest coniferous forests.

Little is known about the ability of individual species to grow successfully outside of their realized niche. Here, the vitality of two epiphytic bryophyte and two epiphytic lichen species were assessed in their fundamental and realized niches in the Pacific Northwest coniferous forest at low, mid, and high elevations. Two lowland epiphytic bryophyte species (Frullania nisquallensis, Neckera douglasii) and one lowland epiphytic lichen species (Usnea longissima) were transplanted to sites at mid and high elevations. One high-elevation epiphytic lichen species (Hypogymnia rugosa) was transplanted to mid and low elevations. The fundamental and realized niches of F. nisquallensis and U. longissima are similar, and they can both survive outside of their realized niches. For N. douglasii, dispersal limitations could shape its distribution along elevation and local microclimate conditions could be important for its vitality. Certain bryophyte and lichen species can survive outside of their realized niches, information that can contribute to knowledge about species niches along elevational gradients. Future studies should focus on cryptogam species interactions in a changing climate.

Bursa ilinde (Türkiye) liken çeşitlilik değeri ve fotosentetik pigment içeriği arasındaki ilişkinin belirlenmesi

In this study, 48 epiphytic lichen species on the trunk of oak trees from seven localities were reported in Bursa province. The correlation between Lichen Diversity Value (LDV) and photosynthetic pigment content at a location were evaluated for each locality. A negative correlation was found between LDV and photosynthetic pigment contents. The LDV was higher in rural areas, and decreased in areas affected by anthropogenic and agricultural activities. LDV values were increased from 21% to 47% from degraded areas exposed to environmental pollution and stress to undisturbed areas, whereas total photosynthetic pigment contents decreased from 39% to 19%, and Phaeophytinization ratio (PR) values from 36% to 30%.

Lichen-Associated Oribatid Mites in the Taiga Zone of Northeast European Russia: Taxonomical Composition and Geographical Distribution of Species

We examined 35 species of ground and epiphytic lichens, including fruticose, foliose, and crustose lichen, as habitats of oribatid mites. Observations were carried out in the taiga forests of northeast European Russia, and 87 oribatid species from 38 families were found. The Crotoniidae, Carabodidae, Oppiidae, and Suctobelbidae are the most numerous families in ground lichens and the Oribatulidae are in the epiphytes. The families Micreremidae and Licneremaeidae were only noted in epiphytes. A complex of species characteristic of epiphytic lichens as habitats of oribatid mites have been identified, these are Carabodes labyrinthicus, Oribatula (Z.) propinqua, Phauloppia nemoralis, Micreremus brevipes, Licneremaeus licnophorus, Furcoppia (Mexicoppia) dentata, Cymbaeremaeus cymba. Only in epiphytes, rarely, the species were also Jacotella frondeus, Ameronothrus oblongus, Mycobates (Calyptozetes) tridactylus, and Liebstadia humerata. Characteristic for ground lichens are species Trhypochthonius cladonicolus, Carabodes marginatus, Carabodes subarcticus. Often found in both ground and epiphytic lichens are species Eueremaeus oblongus s. str., E. oblongus silvestris, Ceratoppia quadridentata, Adoristes ovatus poppei, Graptoppia (Apograptoppia) foveolata, Suctobelbella acidens duplex, Tectocepheus velatus, Trichoribates berlesei, Chamobates pusillus, Diapterobates oblongus, Oribatula tibialis, Oribatula (Z.) exilis, Scheloribates laevigatus, Neoribates aurantiacus, Pergalumna nervosa. In epiphytic lichens, we observed species that are rare in the North (Oribatula (Z.) frisiae, O. (Z.) propinqua, P. nemoralis, L. licnophorus, F. (M.) dentata, et al.), with some noted in the taiga zone for the first time (J. frondeus).

Selecting the species to be used in lichen transplant surveys of air pollution in Tunisia

This study was undertaken with the aim of selecting one or more lichen species that are the most suitable for transplant-based surveys of air pollution in Tunisia, in areas where the local native lichen vegetation is scanty or missing at all. To this purpose, four epiphytic (tree inhabiting) lichen species (Evernia prunastri, Flavoparmelia caperata, Parmotrema perlatum, Ramalina farinacea) were collected from the Babouch forests, a remote and unpolluted area of NW Tunisia, and analyzed for their content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs), namely Al, As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sb, and Zn, by ICP-MS. Moreover, also the physiological status of the lichen samples was evaluated by measuring their chlorophyll content, photosynthetic efficiency, and spectral reflectance. The results indicated a remarkable contribution of airborne soil and dust particles to the total PTE content, especially for the foliose species F. caperata and P. perlatum. The fruticose lichens E. prunastri and R. farinacea had a lower and similar content of PTEs, and hence were regarded as more suitable to be used in transplant studies, since are able to detect even minimal accumulation amounts. All lichen species were healthy, as emerged from the analysis of physiological parameters.

Remote sensing in mapping biodiversity – A case study of epiphytic lichen communities

In boreal forests, European aspen (Populus tremula L.) is a keystone species that hosts a variety of accompanying species including epiphytic lichens. Forest management actions have led to a decrease in aspen abundance and subsequent loss of suitable habitats of epiphytic lichens. In this study, we evaluate the environmental responses of epiphytic lichen species richness and community composition on aspen, focusing on the potential of remote sensing by combined hyperspectral imaging and airborne laser scanning to identify suitable habitats for epiphytic lichens. We measured different substrate and habitat parameters in the field (e.g., aspen diameter and bark pH) and by remote sensing (e.g., mean canopy height and tree species composition of the surrounding forest) in the study area in Southern Finland that includes protected and non-protected forest. We used linear regression and the Hierarchical Model of Species Communities (HMSC) to compare how the different parameters explain and predict lichen species richness and community composition, respectively. We show that coarse predictions of epiphytic lichen community composition can be made using parameters extracted from remote sensing data. Estimated mean canopy height, tree density, dominant tree species and tree species diversity of the stand predicted the species community on aspens slightly better than field parameters. Remote sensing variables calculated over a larger area (30 m radius) always outperformed the same variables calculated over a smaller area (10 m radius) in predicting community composition, highlighting the cost-efficiency of remote sensing compared to covering a similar area with on-ground measurements. These results are encouraging for the prospects of using remote sensing data to direct field inventories and to map potential high-biodiversity habitats. Aspen bark pH was the only parameter affecting species richness regardless of whether the forest was protected or not, whereas, interestingly, the effects of tree diameter, height and furrow depth were only significant in protected areas. Our results also underline the importance of protected areas, since they hosted a higher tree-specific number of epiphytic lichen species, and red listed species, than non-protected areas.

Mercury Content and Amelioration of Its Toxicity by Nitric Oxide in Lichens.

Mercury (Hg) content measured in five epiphytic lichen species collected in Slovakia mountain forests ranged from 30 to 100 ng/g DW and was species-specific, decreasing in the order Hypogymnia > Pseudevernia > Usnea > Xanthoria > Evernia prunastri (but polluted sites had no impact on Hg amount in Xanthoria). Evernia was therefore used to study the impact of short-term exogenous Hg (100 µM, 24 h) and possible amelioration of Hg toxicity by nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside (SNP). NO was efficiently released from SNP as detected by two staining reagents and fluorescence microscopy and reduced Hg-induced ROS signal and absorption of Hg by thalli of Evernia prunastri. At the same time, NO ameliorated Hg-induced depletion of metabolites such as ascorbic acid and non-protein thiols, but not of free amino acids. The amount of metabolites, including soluble phenols, was reduced by excess Hg per se. On the contrary, NO was unable to restore Hg-stimulated depletion of chlorophyll autofluorescence but mitigated the decline of some macronutrients (K and Ca). Data confirm that accumulation of Hg in the epiphytic lichens is species-specific and that NO is a vital molecule in Evernia prunastri that provides protection against Hg-induced toxicity with considerable positive impact on metabolic changes.

БІОІНДИКАЦІЙНІ ДОСЛІДЖЕННЯ ЗА ЕПІФІТНОЮ ЛІХЕНОФЛОРОЮ М. CУМИ ТА ЙОГО ОКОЛИЦЬ

As a result of the conducted survey, 26 species of epiphytic lichens were identified in Sumy city including 11 indicator species: Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach., Cladonia fimbriata (L.) Fr., Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl., H. tubulosa (Schaer.) Hav., Lecanora chloropolia (Erichsen) Almb., Parmelia sulcata Taylor, Phaeophyscia orbicularis (Neck.) Moberg, Physcia tenella (Scop.) DC., Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (Graewe ex Stenh.) Vězda, Straminella varia (Hoffm.) S.Y. Kondr., Lőkös & Farkas (syn. Lecanora varia (Hoffm.) Ach.) та Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. Two of these lichen species is indicator of acid pollution, two species have high sensitivity, three species – medium sensitivity to air pollution; four species are resistant to pollution. Indicators of acid pollution were found throughout the city on trees, in parks and squares along highways and near industrial enterprises of the city. Distribution of indicators with high sensitivity is confined to the natural forest communities in the north-eastern part of the city. Medium-sensitive species were also found in natural forests, parks and street plantings in the city center, northern and central parts of the city. Species resistant to air pollution are distributed quite evenly throughout the city, including on the bark of trees in street plantings. On the basis of calculation of the index of air purity of Le Blanc and De Sloover, the city area has been subdivided into four isotoxic lichen zones corresponding to different levels of pollution. The most polluted areas (lichen deserts, as well as heavily and moderately polluted isotoxic lichen zones) are limited to the north-western and eastern parts of the city, which coincides with the territories of the largest stationary industrial enterprises of the Sumy city.

LICHEN INDICATION OF AIR QUALITY IN PUTYVL’ TOWN

As a result of the conducted survey, 17 species of epiphytic lichens were identified in Putyvl’ town (Sumy Region) including 7 indicator species: Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach., Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl., Parmelia sulcata Taylor, Phaeophyscia orbicularis (Neck.) Moberg, Physcia tenella (Scop.) DC., Scoliciosporum chlorococcum (Graewe ex Stenh.) Vězda та Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. One of these lichen species is indicator of acid pollution, one species have high sensitivity, three species – medium sensitivity to air pollution; two species are resistant to pollution. Indicators of acid pollution were found throughout the city on trees along highways, in parks and squares. Distribution of indicators with high sensitivity is confined to the natural forest communities in the north-western part of the town. Medium-sensitive species were also found in natural forests, parks and street plantings in the town center and its surroundings. Species resistant to air pollution are distributed quite evenly throughout the town, including on the bark of trees in street plantings. On the basis of calculation of the index of air purity of Le Blanc and De Sloover, the town area has been subdivided into three isotoxic lichen zones corresponding to different levels of pollution. The zone with an average level of pollution occupies about 70% of the entire territory of the town. The slightly polluted zone occupies about 20% of the town area. Heavily areas polluted occupy the least area (almost 10%) and are located in the town center. It is related to the location of the main highways, bus station and industrial enterprise of the town. Unpolluted sites are confined to the floodplain of the Seim River, forest areas and park zones of the town, which preserve certain features of natural ecotopes. The predominance of the zone with an average level of pollution indicates that the main factor influencing the state of outdoor air pollution in the town is motor transport.

Habitat associations of red-listed epiphytic lichens in Finland

The Finnish red list shows that the epiphytic lichen flora of Finnish forests is highly threatened and declining steeply. Red lists provide limited information on the habitat associations of threatened species, which could be relevant in informing management and conservation measures. We used documented empirical data and expert assessments to determine for each red-listed (IUCN categories Near Threatened, NT; Vulnerable, VU; Endangered, EN; Critically Endangered, CR; Regionally Extinct, RE) epiphytic lichen species of Finland the following key habitat associations: host tree species, substrate type, habitat type, geographical distribution, preferred microclimate, and minimum required forest and tree age. The most important host tree species were Picea abies (L.) H. Karst. and Populus tremula L. Other tree species of high importance included Sorbus aucuparia L. and Salix caprea L. One fourth of red-listed epiphytic lichens were primarily lignicolous. Most species required old-growth forests (required by 41% of species) or old trees (52%), but many species required only mature forests (36%) or trees (35%). The microclimatic preferences of most red-listed epiphytic lichens consisted of high or intermediate light availability and humidity. Most species whose status had deteriorated were dependent on deciduous trees. The continuous availability of old deciduous trees (especially Populus, Salix and Sorbus) requires special attention in both managed and protected forests. Red-listed epiphytic lichens would be aided by increased forest protection or transitioning to less intensive management regimes.

The potential use of elemental content of saxicolous lichens as bioindicators of nitrogen deposition in the central and southern California mountains

High elevation and arid wilderness areas generally lack epiphytic lichen species used for air quality biomonitoring. We assessed the potential of saxicolous lichens to serve as bioindicators of nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) deposition by examining relationships among deposition, environmental variables, and elemental concentrations in the saxicolous lichens Umbilicaria phaea (n = 51), Rhizoplaca melanophthalma (n = 20), and the epiphytic lichen Letharia vulpina (n = 16) in the southern Sierra Nevada (SN) and San Bernardino Mountains (SBM) of California, USA. Lichen samples were collected between 2013 and 2019 in 31 plots between 180 and 3330 m elevation. These samples were analyzed for concentrations of 23 elements, including N and S. Signal-to-noise ratios were high comparing the variation among plots to within plots and within samples for N and S concentrations of the Umbilicaria phaea samples. While Umbilicaria phaea N and S concentrations were correlated with modeled N and S deposition estimates, Rhizoplaca melanophthalma and Letharia vulpina N and S concentrations were not. Subsequent principal components analysis and cluster analysis of the Umbilicaria phaea dataset revealed differences in elemental profiles between the SN and SBM, with the SBM samples having higher concentrations of most elements, including heavy metals. Additionally, the first two principal components explained most of the variation (61 %) in elemental content and had strong relationships to latitude, longitude, N and S deposition, and precipitation. We conclude that the elemental profile of Umbilicaria could be used to assess N and S deposition for areas in the western USA that lack suitable epiphytic lichen species.

Analysis of diversity and functional traits of epiphytic lichens in Dagestan forests of different formations

Aim. The structure of forest communities changes along the altitude gradient, which determines the composition of epiphytic lichens. The aim of the study is to compare the species composition and functional characteristics of epiphytic lichens in Dagestan forests of different formations to identify key differences in the lichen flora.Material and Methods. Data on diversity and structure of 334 species of epiphytic lichens revealed during in field work from 2015 to 2019 were used as material for the work. Statistical analysis and data visualization were performed in Statistica 13.3 and PAST 4.0.Results. The highest number of epiphytic lichens was revealed in forests with complex tree structure with the participation of pine. A decrease of specific species and genera was noted with altitude increase. Cluster analysis of species, genera, reproductive strategies and growth forms showed the proximity of mountain forests (Pineta kochiana and Fageta orientalis) and their distance from lowland forests (Carpineta betulus). The percent of species forming vegetative diaspores increases in mountain cluster forests. The "photobiont" indicator is clearer separated of studied formations. The greatest contribution to the division of the total sample is caused by difference in altitude, grouping the samples into mountainous and lowland.Conclusion. The differences in lichens species composition are results not only of diversity of the components which form the structure of the forest community, but also of specific microclimatic conditions which change with altitude, as well as the degree of anthropogenic disturbance.

The Lichen Flora on Quercus in the Tamentout Forest of Algeria

Lichens are major components of forest ecosystems. However, their accurate identification at species level is often difficult, especially in poorly investigated areas. The objective of this study is an inventory of epiphytic lichens in the Tamentout Forest on three types of phorophytes, Quercus faginea, Q. suber and Q. ilex. In this region, 68 epiphytic lichen species have been identified, belonging to 23 families and 36 genera. The specific richness on the three phorophytes was different. Quercus suber, the dominant phorophyte, supports the highest number of species compared to Q. faginea, and Q. ilex. An analysis of growth forms shows that all are represented in the study area. However, crustose and foliose lichens are the most common ones. As a result of our inventory, we report Parmeliella testacea new to Algeria, and list 20 lichen species now protected by Algerian legislation.

Conifer tree species and age as drivers of epiphytic lichen communities in northern European production forests

AbstractThe epiphytic lichen species richness and community composition was compared for 600 living trees distributed within the interior of 60 Scots pine and Norway spruce monoculture stands in southern Sweden. A higher species richness, and more unique species, was found on trees of Scots pine than of Norway spruce, and distinctive communities were associated with the two tree species. Lichen species composition also shifted between the 30-, 55- and 80-year-old stands, although there was no significant difference in species richness between the different age classes. Tree species and age of the stand explained most of the variation in community composition (41%), with additional variance explained by lichen proximity to the ground (6%) and aspect (1%) (northern/southern side of trunk). Scots pine and Norway spruce share many attributes, such as both being conifers with acidic bark properties and having a similar geographical distribution in Fennoscandia. However, our study showed that species richness and community composition can nevertheless diverge in stands dominated by these two tree species. Since the occurrence of red-listed species was low in these stands, we suggest that 80-year rotations are not long enough for the occurrence of the many rare and specialized lichen species that require old forest structures and long forest continuity in this region.

Do the natural dynamics of West Carpathian forests affect the diversity of epiphytic lichens on Norway spruce?

Over the last decades the West Carpathian spruce and mixed forests with a share of Picea abies, have been undergoing intensified dynamic changes, determined by windstorms and European spruce bark beetle outbreaks. Those changes should have a decisive effect on the survivability of species and shifts in epiphytic lichen communities on this phorophyte. Research conducted in the Gorce Mts (West Carpathians, Poland) in 1993, 2013 and 2018, on the same 186 spruce trees at 33 sites, revealed an increase in the species diversity of lichen communities in a long-term perspective (25 years). At the same time, there was a decrease in the coverage of the dominant species. Such changes are a result of long-term tree composition processes: the natural thinning of upper mountain spruce forests and the increase of lower mountain forests density after a decrease in the share of Norway spruce. The former prefers photophilous epiphytes, and the latter leads to an increase in the share of shade-tolerant species. The analysis of lichen communities by means of the principal components analysis (PCA) method for all three study periods combined showed that long-term changes were the most significant for this lichen biota, and short-term changes had no considerable effect. The conducted Redundancy Analysis (RDA) revealed, that the forest plant association was a stronger factor affecting the lichen community composition and coverage than tree stand density and saplings density in each observation term. The changes taking place in stands under bark beetle and wind disturbances should be treated differently in different types of forest associations, but in both, they cause differentiation of niches used by more specialized species of epiphytic lichens.

High and balanced contribution of regional biodiversity hotspots to epiphytic and epixylic lichen species diversity in Great Britain

We surveyed epiphytic and epixylic lichens in eleven 1-hectare forest plots located in representative old-forest stands in four distinct regions of Great Britain that are well-known centres of lichen biodiversity. We aimed to analyse the patterns of lichen biodiversity in these important biodiversity hotspots from a British perspective. In total, we recorded 550 lichen species in 11 ha, i.e. 73% of the presently known British epiphytic and epixylic lichen flora. Species richness per site was regionally stratified and varied from 126 to 235 species. Although the presence of frequent species coincided with total species richness in the respective hotspot, rare species (those with <50 records in Great Britain since 2000) were more balanced among hotspots and relatively independent of species richness. Species turnover contributed significantly and evenly to the species composition regardless of species richness so that hotspots did not have nested structure, typical for the hotspots in Central Europe. Although British hotspots generally shared more species within regions than between regions, geographic distances between regions did not correspond with the differences in species composition. The results document the importance and irreplaceability of the surveyed hotspots for lichen diversity in Great Britain, notwithstanding their current species richness and past depletion due to long-term acid deposition and habitat degradation.

KERAGAMAN LUMUT KERAK PADA TANAMAN TEH (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) DI PERKEBUNAN TEH PT. SARANA MANDIRI MUKTI KABUPATEN KEPAHIANG PROVINSI BENGKULU

Lichen is a mutualism symbiotic organism between fungi (mycobiont) and photosynthetic symbiont in the form of algae (photobiont). It can be found from the lowlands to the highlands, growing epiphytically on soil, rocks, weathered wood, and tree bark, as shown on surface of the tea plants (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) in The PT Sarana Mandiri Mukti Tea plantation in Kepahiang regency, Bengkulu Province. The purpose of this research was to identify and find out the species of epiphytic lichens on the tea plant in this place. The study was conducted in May–November 2019. Samples was collected purposively, by taken ephyphitic lichens growth on the bark of tea plants stems. Then, samples was identified based on morphological characteristics at the Basic Science Biosystematics Laboratory, FMIPA University of Bengkulu. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. It was identified as many as 35 species of lichens from the Ascomycota division, belonged to three classes, six orders, 11 families; those are Graphidaaceae, Stereocaulaceae, Parmeliaceae, Lecanoraceae, Malmideaeceae, Pertusariaceae, Teloschistaceae, Caliciaceae, Physciaceae, Arthoniaceae, dan Pyrenulaceae. 23 species have crustose type thalus and 12 species have foliose type thalus.

Effects of air pollution on chlorophyll content and morphology of lichens transplanted around a paper industry (Morelia, Mexico)

We evaluated and compared the physiological and morphological response to pollution of two epiphytic lichen species, the foliose lichen Flavopunctelia praesignis and the fruticose lichen Usnea ceratina. Lichen samples were collected at remote areas and transplanted at different distances and directions from a paper industry in Morelia (Michoacán, Mexico). Lichen transplants were exposed for 4 months (1) around the industrial area and (2) in their native habitats (control sites). Changes of total chlorophyll content between samples before and after exposure, and morphological damage in the lichen thalli were investigated. Lichens showed species-specific responses. Flavopunctelia praesignis increased in total chlorophyll content after exposure around the industrial area and in control site. This suggests that total chlorophyll changes by a seasonal effect than pollution effect. On the other hand, chlorophyll content of U. ceratina did not change significantly after exposure. Bleaching, changes in color, deformations, and necrosis of lichen thalli were better visible in U. ceratina near the paper industry. We conclude that U. ceratina is a more pollution-sensitive species than F. praesignis. Morphological damage in the lichen thalli would be a suitable indicator for monitoring early biological effects of air pollution caused by the paper industry.

Diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens on Cedrus atlantica and Quercus faginea in Mount Babor Forest, Algeria

Abstract. Belguidoum A, Lograda T, Ramdani M. 2021. Diversity and distribution of epiphytic lichens on Cedrus atlantica and Quercus faginea in Mount Babor Forest, Algeria. Biodiversitas 22: 887-899. Information about lichen diversity in Algeria is limited despite their important role as biological indicators of ecosystem health. The aim of the study was to carry out an inventory of epiphytic lichens in the Mount Babor Forest on two types of phorophytes (host trees), i.e., Cedrus atlantica and Quercus faginea, in varying altitudinal gradients and the diameter of host tree. The similarity of the sampled sites was assessed by the Sorensen index (β). Sixty-six species of epiphytic lichens were identified, which belong to 24 families and 38 genera. C. atlantica hosted a higher number of species than Q. faginea. The majority of lichen on C. atlantica belonged to the Parmeliaceae family, whereas those on Q. faginea belonged to the Physciaceae family. Crustose and foliose lichens were the most common species in the study area. The results showed the existence of a distinct relationship between the parameters of the distribution (i.e., tree diameter, elevation) and the specific lichen richness. The greatest number of lichen species (59 species) was observed on large diameter trunks (41-60 cm). Lichen diversity increased along with the increase in altitude. Sorensen’s similarity index revealed the presence of heterogeneity in the community composition of lichen vegetation.