Lichen Diversity Values Research Articles

On the Conservation of the Canarian Laurel Forest: What Do Lichens Have to Say?

The fragmentation and degradation of primary forests are serious threats to the long-term persistence not only of the tree species they comprise, but also of many organisms inhabiting them. The Canarian laurel forest, known as monteverde, is a highly threatened endemic forest of the Macaronesian region. Lichens are considered ideal bioindicators for assessing the effects of human disturbances on ecosystems and anticipating the response of other less sensitive organisms. However, no studies have used them as model organisms to analyze the conservation status of this primary forest in the Macaronesian region. In the present study, we analyzed several variables of the lichen biota of the Canarian laurel forest on the islands with the highest representation within this archipelago: La Gomera, La Palma, and Tenerife. We analyzed the species richness (and its relationship to island size with the real and potential vegetation areas of the laurel forest); the lichen diversity value, the number of shared and exclusive species on each of the islands as well as lichen functional traits as they have become important for evaluating the response of epiphytic lichens to environmental changes. The results indicate that there are signs of a potential extinction debt occurring in the diversity of epiphytic lichens in some areas. Furthermore, it has been observed that, despite the presence of some exclusive species on each island, the overall composition does not differ between them. Considering the functional traits of lichens, there are patterns that can provide information about the unique characteristics of the laurel forest of each of the studied islands.

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%.

Use of Lichens to Evaluate the Impact of Post-Earthquake Reconstruction Activities on Air Quality: A Case Study from the City of L'Aquila.

Simple SummaryLichens are a symbiotic association of fungi and algae. As few lichen species can tolerate high levels of pollution, they are widely used for air-quality monitoring. In this study, we used the Lichen Diversity Value (LDV), an index based on the diversity of lichens living on trees, to evaluate the effects of the reconstruction activities occurring in the city of L’Aquila after the 2009 earthquake that largely destroyed the city centre. We tested if the values of the LDV index changed along the urban–rural gradient in response to the presence of air pollutants produced by reconstruction works. We also used a rapid analytical technique (Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy—EDS) to detect the main pollutants accumulated in the lichens. We found that the LDVs increased from the city centre towards suburban areas. The EDS analysis revealed a massive presence of aluminium and silicon (used in the manufacture of concrete) in the more central areas. Our study suggests that the LDV index can be profitably used to monitor air quality in urban areas subject to building demolition and reconstruction, and that EDS may be applied to lichen samples for the rapid detection of the main pollutants associated with these activities.Lichens are widely used as bioindicators of air quality because of their ability to absorb chemical pollutants. We used the Lichen Diversity Value (LDV) index to assess the effects of the urban reconstruction activities in the city of L’Aquila ten years after the 2009 earthquake on air quality. Sampling was conducted from the city centre (still mostly under reconstruction and closed to traffic) to suburban areas (where reconstruction is minimal). We tested if the LDV index varied with distance from the city centre because of the presence of air pollutants produced by reconstruction works. We also used Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) to detect the main pollutants accumulated in the sampled lichens. The LDV increased from the city centre towards suburban areas. EDS revealed high concentrations of pollutants related to demolition and reconstruction activities, such as aluminium and silicon (used in the manufacture of concrete), in the more central areas. These results suggest that the LDV index can be a useful tool to monitor air quality, even on a small scale, and in urban environments subject to building demolition and reconstruction. Moreover, EDS could represent a good preliminary analytical technique to identify the air pollutants associated with all of these activities.

Increasing the amount of dead wood by creation of high stumps has limited value for lichen diversity

Artificial creation of dead wood in managed forests can be used to mitigate the negative effects of forestry on biodiversity. For this to be successful, it is essential to understand the conservation value that the created dead wood has in comparison to naturally occurring dead wood, and, furthermore, where in the landscape addition of dead wood is most beneficial, i.e. how landscape composition influences species occurrence on dead wood. We examined these questions by surveying epixylic lichens on artificially created high stumps of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) in 3–17 years old clear-cuts. We compared lichen assemblages on high stumps to those on other types of pine dead wood in mature forests, and examined how stump age, the amount of dead wood at the clear-cuts, and landscape composition at 500 m - 2.5 km scale influenced the assemblages. In comparison to other dead wood types, high stumps hosted lower lichen richness and less variable assemblages containing mainly common generalist species. Species richness increased with stump age, whereas dead wood amount and landscape composition were not important; only the total amount of forests in the landscape had a minor positive effect. We conclude that at the studied timescale high stumps of Scots pine are not particularly valuable for epixylic lichens and provide a poor substitute for naturally occurring dead wood in mature forests, although their value may increase with age. Furthermore, directing dead wood creation to specific stands or landscapes does not appear beneficial for lichen biodiversity, given the minor effect of landscape composition found at scales below 2.5 km.

Looking for a home: Exploring the potential of epiphytic lichens to colonize tree plantations in a Macaronesian laurel forest

Mankind has been altering native forests in Macaronesia for at least five centuries. Forestry practices are known to reduce biodiversity due to habitat loss, fragmentation and alteration. To assess the potential of plantations to provide habitat for epiphytic lichens in comparison with native forests, we examined three types of forest in the Canary Islands: laurel forest (native forest) and two monospecific plantations of Pinus radiata and Eucalyptus globulus. Epiphytic lichen diversity was evaluated using a methodology of species richness and lichen diversity values (LDV). Our results demonstrate that the conversion of laurel forests to monoculture plantations of exotic tree species decreases lichen diversity and alters lichen community composition. Our findings hightlight how native epiphytic lichens from the cloud forest cannot survive under the same climatic conditions if the host plant community is changed.

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.

Variation of Lichen Diversity along an Elevation Gradient in the Hantana Mountain Range in Sri Lanka

Lichens are composite organisms formed by symbiotic relationships between algae or cyanobacteria and fungi. Apart from their morphological diversity, lichens hold a major significance in ecology because of their role as biological indicators. Lichens are highly sensitive to environmental stresses, such as air pollution and climate change. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to determine the variation of lichen diversity in the Hantana mountain range along an elevation gradient. Five elevations ranging from 512 to 773m above mean sea level (amsl) were selected in the Hantana mountain range, Peradeniya. The tree species selected for surveying lichens was Alstonia macrophylla because of its availability at all elevations. Two trees were selected randomly from each elevation. In each tree, a monitoring quadrate containing five independent 5x5 cm quadrate segments was hung at 1m from ground level. Lichens in quadrate segments were surveyed using a hand lens, and taxonomically identified using standard pictorial keys. The area of each lichen was measured using ImageJ software (Version 1:51k). In each tree trunk, four sides facing the four directions (North, East, West, and South) were surveyed independently. The Lichen Diversity Values (LDV) and the Indices of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) were calculated for each elevation. With the exception of one site at 583m amsl, the LDV showed a positive exponential relationship (LDV=25.161*e0.0024*E, R2=0.76) with increasing elevation (E). Reduction of air temperature and partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) with increasing altitude could have contributed to the increasing lichen diversity. The lowermost site (L1) at 512m showed the lowest LDV (95) while the uppermost site (L5) at 773m showed the highest LDV (191). In addition to the natural variation of pCO2, proximity to roads with frequent vehicular traffic could have influenced the observed variation of LDV with elevation. The site at 583m, which did not fit in to the positive exponential relationship, had a higher LDV value (187) than that predicted from the relationship (102) probably because it was the least exposed to vehicular traffic. At all elevations, IAP values were greater than 50, which indicated that they have very low air pollution, indicating the importance of conservation programs. However, the presence of highly sensitive lichen genera such as Physica and Leptotrema being limited only to sites at upper elevations indicate that those sites are less polluted. On the other hand, lichen genera Megalospora, Graphis and Wirthiotrema were observed at all elevations. Keywords: Lichen diversity, Elevation gradient, Hantana range, Air pollution, pCO2

Traffic represents the main source of pollution in small Mediterranean urban areas as seen by lichen functional groups.

The land-use type (residential, green areas, and traffic) within relatively small Mediterranean urban areas determines significant changes on lichen diversity, considering species richness and functional groups related to different ecological factors. Those areas with larger volume of traffic hold lower species diversity, in terms of species richness and lichen diversity value (LDV). Traffic areas also affect the composition of the lichen community, which is evidenced by sensitive species. The abundance of species of lichens tolerant to low levels of eutrophication diminishes in traffic areas; oppositely, those areas show a higher abundance of species of lichens tolerating high levels of eutrophication. On the other hand, residential and green areas have an opposite pattern, mainly with species highly tolerant to eutrophication being less abundant than low or moderate ones. The characteristics of tree bark do not seem to affect excessively on lichen composition; however, tree species shows some effect that should be considered in further studies.

Evaluation of lichen species resistance to atmospheric metal pollution by coupling diversity and bioaccumulation approaches: A new bioindication scale for French forested areas

In order to evaluate the metal resistance or sensitivity of lichen species and improve the bioindication scales, we studied lichens collected in eight plottings in French and Swiss remote forest areas. A total of 92 corticolous species was sampled, grouped in 54 lichen genera and an alga. Various ecological variables were calculated to characterize the environmental quality – including lichen diversity, lichen abundance, and Shannon index –, as well as lichen communities. Average ecological features were estimated for each study site and each of the following variables – light, temperature, continentality, humidity, substrate pH, and eutrophication – and they corresponded to lichen communities. Based on lichen frequencies, we calculated the index of atmospheric purity (IAP) and lichen diversity value (LDV). These two bioindication indices were closely related to lichen diversity and lichen abundance, respectively, due to their calculation formula. It appeared that LDV, which measures lichen abundance, was a better indicator of metal pollution than IAP. Coupling lichen diversity and metal bioaccumulation in a canonical correspondence analysis, we evaluated the resistance/sensitivity to atmospheric metal pollution for the 43 most frequent lichen species. After validation by eliminating possible influences of acid and nitrogen pollutions, we proposed a new scale to distinguish sensitive species (such as Physconia distorta, Pertusaria coccodes, and Ramalina farinacea) from resistant species (such as Lecanactis subabietina, Pertusaria leioplaca, and Pertusaria albescens) to metal pollution, adapted to such forested environment.

The effect of agriculture management and fire on epiphytic lichens on holm oak trees in the eastern Iberian Peninsula

AbstractFor a long time, agriculture and recurrent fires have been the main factors promoting diversity changes in Mediterranean areas. We examined the effect of irrigated and non-irrigated crops and fires on the epiphytic lichen diversity of holm oak trees in the Vall d'Albaida region (Valencia, Spain). Lichen diversity was studied by calculating the LDV (Lichen Diversity Value) and the proportion of functional groups. No significant differences were observed between areas located near irrigated or non-irrigated crops. Fire-affected areas tended to harbour lower LDV and species richness than those influenced by agriculture. By using lichen functional groups, it has been shown that eutrophication tolerance, substratum pH affinity and, to some extent, thallus growth form are the main factors driving epiphytic lichen diversity in this rural area.

Carbon-Water-Nitrogen relationships between lichens and the atmosphere: Tools to understand metabolism and ecosystem change

Due to the close linking between the biosphere and atmosphere, there are clear impacts of changes in climate, atmospheric deposition of nutrients/pollutants and land use (Global Changes) on the terrestrial biosphere. Lichens, with a direct dependence on atmospheric conditions, are much more affected by their immediate microclimate than by the ecosystem’s prevailing macroclimate. In contrast to higher plants, poikilohydric organisms have different mechanisms of water and CO2 exchange. The application of stable isotopes to the understanding of the mechanisms that are fundamental to lichen gas exchange and water uptake is a promising tool for the evaluation of lichen response to environmental changes. Indeed, lichens have been shown to be influenced by a large number of natural and anthropogenic environmental factors, serving as ecological indicators. Thus, we may use these organisms to model the impact of key global change drivers, such as nitrogen deposition and biodiversity changes, at local scale. Particularly useful is the application of the Lichen Diversity Value (LDV) in order to evaluate the impact of global drivers. Moreover, it has been shown that these indices, associated with main photobiont types, green-algae (LDVch) or cyanobacteria (LDVcyh), and/or nitrophilous versus oligotrophic species, were good candidates as ecological indicators. Besides mapping with high spatial resolution the effects of climate alterations, lichen functional groups could also be used as an early-warning system in order to detect the first effects of climate change in ecosystems before sudden shifts occur on other components that may be less sensitive. Clearly, lichens possess the adequate traits to be used as powerful indicators of complex interactions between atmosphere and biosphere, and thus can generate potentially interesting models for global change drivers.

A Study of Epiphytic Lichen Communities in Urban and Rural Environments in Southwestern Pennsylvania

ABSTRACTCommunity analyses of epiphytic lichens were used to study the controlling factors of lichen abundance and diversity in urban and rural environments of Pittsburgh in southwestern Pennsylvania. Two urban sites included Schenley and Frick Parks in metropolitan Pittsburgh and two rural sites at Mingo Creek County Park in Washington County and Roaring Runs Natural Area in Westmoreland County. Community composition of lichens was measured at six intensive monitoring plots per site and site-wide species diversity surveys. The lichen diversity value, a statistical estimator of the environmental conditions at a site, was greater at the rural sites (20.8 ± 3.0) compared to the urban sites (11.3 ± 3.5) (± standard error), suggesting a less disturbed lichen community at Mingo and Roaring Runs. In the intensive monitoring plots, species richness was greater at Mingo and Roaring Runs compared to Schenley and Frick, averaging 5.2 ± 0.3, 4.7 ± 0.4, 3.7 ± 0.8 and 2.0 ± 0.4, respectively. The dominant lichens across all sites were Lepraria lobificans, an unidentified sterile crustose lichen and Cladonia ochrochlora. The dominance of nitrophilous and sulfur dioxide–tolerant lichens at all sites suggests that the lichen community within the larger geographical region is influenced by nitrogen and sulfur dioxide air pollutants. The differences between sampling sites are most likely driven by lichens responding to changes in urbanization, which include humidity and habitat fragmentation.

The use of lichen functional groups as indicators of air quality in a Mediterranean urban environment

Functional groups of epiphytic lichens are proposed as indicators of air quality in a Mediterranean urban area in the south of Portugal. Local land use: traffic (for areas near roads), green (for park areas) and house (residential areas); and bark pH are applied as proxies of air quality. Epiphytic lichen diversity was evaluated using lichen diversity values (LDV) methodology. Global LDV value decreases on traffic areas, as well as absolute values of LDV for the examined functional groups, which are lower in traffic areas than green and house areas. However, the composition of lichen communities shows a different pattern, based on the relative values of functional groups. Some functional groups, such as oligotrophic, hygrophytic and acidophilous lichens, are sensitive to pollution caused by traffic, and their richness declines markedly close to roads. These groups are well represented in areas without traffic, especially in park and residential areas. Otherwise, eutrophic, xerophytic and basophilous lichens are more represented in traffic areas. Sensitive functional groups seemed to be more reliable than total diversity for evaluating the impact of atmospheric pollution on small urban areas.

Using lichen functional diversity to assess the effects of atmospheric ammonia in Mediterranean woodlands

Summary1. Atmospheric ammonia (NH3) is one of the main drivers for ecosystem changes world‐wide, including biodiversity loss. Modelling its deposition to evaluate its impact on ecosystems has been the focus of many studies. For that, universal indicators are needed to determine and compare the early effects of NH3 across ecosystems.2. We evaluate the effects of atmospheric NH3 in ecosystems using lichens, which are one of the most sensitive communities at the ecosystem level. Rather than measuring total diversity, we use a functional diversity approach because this is potentially a more universal tool.3. We evaluated the spatial and temporal patterns of atmospheric NH3 concentrations ([NH3]atm) emitted from a point‐source over a 1‐year period in a cork oak Mediterranean woodland. We observed a temporal pattern of [NH3]atm, with maximum concentrations during autumn.4. The distribution of lichen species was c. 90% explained by [NH3]atm. The tolerance of lichen species to atmospheric NH3, based on expert knowledge from literature, was tested for the first time against direct measurements of atmospheric NH3. Most species were well classified, with the exception of Lecanora albella and Chrysothrix candelaris, which were more tolerant than expected. Our updated lichen classification can be used to establish lichen functional groups that respond to atmospheric NH3, and these can be used in other Mediterranean countries.5. Increasing [NH3]atm led to a complete replacement of oligotrophic by nitrophytic species within 65 m of the NH3 source. The geostatistical analysis of functional diversity variables yielded a spatial model with low non‐spatial variance, indicating that these variables can cope robustly with high spatial variation in NH3.6. Synthesis and applications. Our results support the use of functional diversity variables, such as a lichen diversity value, as accurate and robust indicators of the effects of atmospheric NH3 on ecosystems. The spatial modelling of these indicators can provide information with high spatial resolution about the effects of atmospheric NH3 around point‐ and diffuse sources. As this methodology is based on functional groups, it can be applied to monitor both the impact of atmospheric NH3 and the success of mitigation strategies.

A study protocol to evaluate the relationship between outdoor air pollution and pregnancy outcomes

BackgroundThe present study protocol is designed to assess the relationship between outdoor air pollution and low birth weight and preterm births outcomes performing a semi-ecological analysis. Semi-ecological design studies are widely used to assess effects of air pollution in humans. In this type of analysis, health outcomes and covariates are measured in individuals and exposure assignments are usually based on air quality monitor stations. Therefore, estimating individual exposures are one of the major challenges when investigating these relationships with a semi-ecologic design.Methods/DesignSemi-ecologic study consisting of a retrospective cohort study with ecologic assignment of exposure is applied. Health outcomes and covariates are collected at Primary Health Care Center. Data from pregnant registry, clinical record and specific questionnaire administered orally to the mothers of children born in period 2007-2010 in Portuguese Alentejo Litoral region, are collected by the research team. Outdoor air pollution data are collected with a lichen diversity biomonitoring program, and individual pregnancy exposures are assessed with spatial geostatistical simulation, which provides the basis for uncertainty analysis of individual exposures. Awareness of outdoor air pollution uncertainty will improve validity of individual exposures assignments for further statistical analysis with multivariate regression models.DiscussionExposure misclassification is an issue of concern in semi-ecological design. In this study, personal exposures are assigned to each pregnant using geocoded addresses data. A stochastic simulation method is applied to lichen diversity values index measured at biomonitoring survey locations, in order to assess spatial uncertainty of lichen diversity value index at each geocoded address. These methods assume a model for spatial autocorrelation of exposure and provide a distribution of exposures in each study location. We believe that variability of simulated exposure values at geocoded addresses will improve knowledge on variability of exposures, improving therefore validity of individual exposures to input in posterior statistical analysis.

Monitoring H 2S air pollution caused by the industrial exploitation of geothermal energy: The pitfall of using lichens as bioindicators

This study showed that NH 3 emitted from geothermal power plants affects the surrounding epiphytic lichen vegetation and diversity, confounding the interpretation of lichen diversity counts in terms of air pollution by H 2S. The presence of nitrophytic lichen species around geothermal installations, determined by NH 3, caused relatively high diversity values that were not related with the levels of air pollution by H 2S. It is recommended that in the presence of NH 3 emission, nitrophytic species are excluded from the calculation of lichen diversity values.

LICHEN DIVERSITY OF OLD-GROWTH FORESTS IN MOLISE (CENTRAL-SOUTHERN ITALY)

The role of lichens as indicators of environmental continuity is widely reported in central and northern European forests. Management plans consider them e.g. to predict the presence of valuable species and for the selection of key woodland habitats. Nevertheless, effects of management to many forest-associated lichens in Mediterranean environments are poorly known and threats are only recently investigated. Aim of this work is to contribute to the identification of lichen communities colonizing old-growth forests and variables influencing their diversity. The study was carried out in two large forested areas in the high Molise region, belonging to the network identified under the PRIN 2007 “Metodi innovativi per la identificazione, caratterizzazione e gestione dei boschi vetusti in ambito Mediterraneo”. Abeti Soprani (Pescopennataro, Isernia) and Collemeluccio (Pescolanciano, Isernia) are the selected stands because of their historical value and phytogeographical interest. These stands represent two different habitat types: Abeti Soprani is a Southern Apennine silver fir forest and Collemeluccio a is mixed forest of silver fir and turkey oak. The Lichen Diversity Values (LDV) was releved according to a randomized stratified sampling design within a plot of one hectare in each study area. The percentage contributions to the total lichen diversity of each growth form, photobiont and reproductive strategy were taken into account in order to assess the differences among the plots. The paper reports the results obtained during the first year of survey as a starting point for planning a long-term monitoring. The LDV seems to be very high in these Mediterranean old-growth forests confirming their important role in lichen diversity conservation.

Epiphytic lichen diversity in central European oak forests: Assessment of the effects of natural environmental factors and human influences

We investigated lichen diversity in temperate oak forests using standardized protocols. Forty-eight sites were sampled in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary. The effects of natural environmental predictors and human influences on lichen diversity (lichen diversity value, species richness) were analysed by means of correlation tests. We found that lichen diversity responded differently to environmental predictors between two regions with different human impact. In the industrial region, air pollution was the strongest factor. In the agricultural to highly forested regions, lichen diversity was strongly influenced by forest age and forest fragmentation. We found that several natural factors can in some cases obscure the effect of human influences. Thus, factors of naturality gradient must be considered (both statistically and interpretively) when studying human impact on lichen diversity.

Rapid biodiversity assessment in lichen diversity surveys: implications for quality assurance

Rapid Biodiversity Assessments (RBAs) of lichen communities, obtained by means of simplified sampling lists based on morphospecies, showed good correlations with Lichen Diversity Values (LDVs), based on the complete identification of lichen species only when performed by operators with high levels of taxonomic knowledge. Furthermore, the use of highly simplified sampling lists did not lead to significant advantages in terms of time needed for field operations. This approach proved to be especially unreliable in high diversity ecological contexts where variation of morpho-structural composition within lichen communities is frequent (i.e. co-occurring crustose- and foliose-dominated communities); it may also lead to weak results if applied for conservation purposes. Hence, the use of simplified RBA sampling lists in lichen monitoring has to be carefully evaluated and, in any case, should be based on sound taxonomic knowledge on the part of those in charge of data collection. The proper assessment of descriptors of lichen abundance and/or frequency, however, strictly depends on the skill, taxonomic knowledge, and willingness to learn of the lichenologist-in-training.

Impact of neighbourhood land-cover in epiphytic lichen diversity: Analysis of multiple factors working at different spatial scales

The objective of this work was to determine the impact of neighbourhood land-cover in epiphytic lichen diversity. We used geostatistics to analyse the spatial structure of lichen-indicators (number of lichen species and Lichen Diversity Value) and correlate them to land-cover considering different distances from the observed data. The results showed that lichen diversity was influenced by different environmental factors that act in the same territory but impact lichens at different distances from the source. The differences in the distance of influence of the several land-cover types seem to be related to the size of pollutants/particles that predominantly are dispersed by each land-cover type. We also showed that a local scale of analysis gives a deeper insight into the understanding of lichen richness and abundance in the region. This work highlighted the importance of a multiple spatial scale of analysis to deeply interpret the relation between lichen diversity and the underling environmental factors.