Terricolous Research Articles

Forest Fertilization Associated with Oil Sands Emissions

The Athabasca Oil Sands in Alberta, Canada, is one of the largest point sources emitters of NOx and SO2 in Canada, and there have been widespread concerns over potential ecosystem acidification owing to the acid sensitivity of the base-poor sandy soils in the region. In this study we compared soil and vegetation properties at a jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb) forest adjacent to one of the largest mines in the region with a jack pine stand located approximately 15 km from the mine. At the site closest to the mine, throughfall deposition of SO4-S and DIN (NO3 + NH4) exceeds 30 and 20 kg ha−1 y−1, respectively, compared with less than 9 kg ha−1 y−1 for SO4-S and less than 2 kg ha−1 y−1 DIN at the distant site. However, on an equivalence basis, base cation (Ca + Mg + Na) deposition in throughfall at both sites exceeded the combined S and N deposition. Total S and N as well as Ca and Mg concentrations in epiphytic lichens and tree bark were significantly higher at the site adjacent to the mine, reflecting the higher acidic and base cation throughfall deposition. The forest floor at the stand close to the mine had a significantly higher pH, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and total S concentrations compared with the distant site. The chemistry of deeper mineral soil horizons was more consistent between the two sites. Foliar concentrations of S, Ca, Mg, Fe and Al in jack pine, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium myrtilloides and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi were also higher at the site close to the mine, but these differences were not always significant. Coincidental with differences in atmospheric deposition, herbaceous cover and biomass, especially A. uva-ursi, was significantly higher, and terricolous lichen cover was several fold lower at the site closest to the mine. This work indicates that despite high S and N emissions from oil sands activities, forest fertilization and alkalization may be of greater concern than acidification owing to large dust emissions from the mines and the Acid Deposition Management Framework for the region should be modified accordingly.

LICHENS AND LICHENICOLOUS FUNGI OF NATIONAL NATURE PARKS «NYZHNOSULSKY» AND «PYRYATYNSKY»

Introduction. Currently, the protected areas of the Poltava region remain poorly understood. Purpose. This is a comprehensive study of the lichens and lichenicolous fungi on the territory of two National Nature Parks (NNPs). Methods. Collecting was carried out by the route­expedition method. Lichens and lichenicolous fungi were identifid in accordance with a standard procedure. Results. NNP «Nyzhnyo sulsky» was represented by 54 species of the lichens and 6 species of the lichenico lous fungi. 55 species of the lichens and 4 species of the lichenicolous fungi were found on the territory of the NNP «Pyryatynsky». Corticolous lichens are dominant ecological groups in both National Nature Parks. 50 corticolous species (92 %) were found in NNP «Nyzhnyosulsky» and 46 species (82 %) were found in NNP «Pyryatynsky». These species are confied to the growth on the bark of the hardwood trees, especially Betula, Populus, Robinia and Quercus. The mature oaks are the most valuable lichen habitat in the parks. Such species as Arthonia mediella, Bacidia rubella, Caloplaca obscurella, Candelariella faginea, Chaenotheca trichialis, Dimerella pineti, Graphis scripta, Pachyphiale carneola have been found rarely on the oak bark on the plain part of Ukraine. Among them A.mediella, C. obscurella and D. pineti are first time reported for the Left­Bank Forest­Steppe zone of Ukraine. The bark of Populus nigra is a habitat for a few rare species, such as Arthrosporum populorum, Lecania fuscella, Piccolia ochrophora and Rinodina pityrea. Rare species in Ukrainian plain A. cinereopruinosa, Buellia griseovirens, Lecanora symmicta, Parmeliopsis ambigua, Trapeliosis granulosa, Vulpicida pinastri were found on the bark of Betula verru cosa in NNP «Pyryatynsky». A. cinereopruinosa is a new one for Left Bank ForestSteppe zone. Seven species of lichens (A. populorum, B. griseovirens, P. argena, P. ochrophora, R. pityrea, T. granulosa, X. candelaria) and three species of li chenicolous fungi (Athelia arachnoidea, Erythricium aurantiacum, Xanthoriicola physciae) are first time reported for the Poltava region. Terricolous lichens such as Bacidia bagliettoana, Diploschistes muscorum, Mycobilimbia subulatorum and Peltigera didactуla are usually associated with weakly overgrown slopes of the ravines and beams. Terricolous lichens B. bagliettoana and P. didactyla are vulnerable in lowland landscapes of Ukraine and need to be protected at the local level. Lichenicolous fungi Pronectria diplococca on En chylium tenax and Homostegia piggotii on Parmelia sulcata are new for Left Bank Forest Steppe zone. Conclusion. Thus, the species diversity of lichens of both NPPs is typical of the forest steppe zone and needs to be protected.

The genusEndocena(Icmadophilaceae): DNA evidence suggests the same fungus forms different morphologies

AbstractNumerous recent studies of lichenized fungi have uncovered hidden genetic diversity within a single phenotypic entity (so-called ‘cryptic species’). Here we report the opposite situation with vastly different morphologies apparently deriving from the same genotype.Endocenais a monotypic genus known only from southern South America. The single reported species, the terricolousE. informis, is morphologically variable; the type and other collections from the west coast of Chile being subfruticose, whereas specimens from further south and east are almost crustose in form. A sorediate terricolous lichen that is frequent on the Falkland Islands was confirmed by phylogenetic analysis of ITS rDNA and mtSSU rDNA sequences as being congeneric withE. informisand, surprisingly, both taxa were recovered as congeneric with the recently described genus and speciesChirleja buckii, which is morphologically distinct from bothE. informisand the sorediate taxon. Consequently, the genusChirlejais included in the synonymy ofEndocenaand the new combinationEndocena buckiiis proposed. BecauseE. informisand the sorediate specimens have a similar thallus structure that differs radically from that ofE. buckii, the nameE. informisvar.falklandicais proposed for the sorediate taxon. Poorly developed, incipient apothecia are also described from both varieties ofE. informis, the first time that these have been reported forEndocena. We also report two lichenicolous fungi fromE. informisvar.informis, which are the first reports of lichenicolous fungi occurring on this genus.

Simulated global warming increases usnic acid but reduces perlatolic acid in the mat-forming terricolous lichenCladonia stellaris

AbstractLichens as sessile and slow-growing symbiotic associations have evolved various carbon-based secondary compounds (CBSCs) to mitigate the effects of some stressors in the extreme environments in which they often grow. The mat-forming lichenCladonia stellaris, an important fodder for reindeer, produces usnic acid in the outermost layer and perlatolic acid in the medulla. Here, we studied effects of simulated global warming on these CBSCs inC. stellariscultivated in climate chambers with: 1) ambient conditions as control or 2) ambient conditions +4°C. The chambers simulated, at an hourly resolution, an averaged 10-year growing season dynamic from a long-term monitored boreal mire in northern Sweden. After two months of acclimation, +4°C warming in one simulated growing season increased the concentration of usnic acid by 31% compared with ambient conditions, whereas the warming decreased the concentration of perlatolic acid by 14%. Since lichen CBSCs play important roles in ecosystem processes such as lichenivory and decomposition, these changes may profoundly affect lichen-dominated ecosystems.

Records of terricolous lichens from páramos of southern Ecuador

Ecological studies of five páramos in Azuay and Loja provinces recorded one lichen species new to South America (Bryoria nitidula), five new to Ecuador (Cladonia halei, C. melanopoda, C. merochlorophaea, C. subreticulata, Diploschistes diacapsis), two new to mainland Ecuador (Cladonia grayi, C. pyxidata), and 20 new provincial records. Brief morphological descriptions, with remarks on distribution and ecology, are provided.

Life on sand dunes from lichens point of view – effect of microclimate and seasonality on activity of terricolous lichen communities

Life on sand dunes from lichens point of view – effect of microclimate and seasonality on activity of terricolous lichen communities

A New Method of Environmental Assessment and Monitoring of Cu, Zn, As, and Pb Pollution in Surface Soil Using Terricolous Fruticose Lichens

Levels of trace element pollution in surface soil can be estimated using soil analyses and leaching tests. These methods may reveal different results due to the effect of soil properties, such as grain size and mineral composition, on elemental availability. Therefore, this study advocates an alternative method for monitoring and assessment of trace element pollution in surface soil using terricolous fruticose lichens. Lichens growing at abandoned mine sites and unpolluted areas in southwest Japan and their substrata were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and X-ray fluorescence spectrometry to clarify the relationships between Cu, Zn, As, and Pb concentrations in lichens and soils, including their absorption properties. Concentrations of these elements in the lichens were positively correlated with those in the soils regardless of lichen species, location, habitat, or conditions of soils. The analyzed lichens had neither competitive nor antagonistic properties in their elemental absorption, which made them good biomonitors of trace element pollution in surface soil. The distribution maps of average Cu, Zn, As, and Pb concentrations at each sampling region detected almost all of the Cu, Zn, and As pollution of the soils. Therefore, lichens could be used in practical applications to monitor Cu, Zn, and As pollution in surface soils.

Plot Sizes Used for Phytosociological Sampling of Bryophyte and Lichen Micro-Communities

Berg, C., Schwager, P., Pöltl, M. & Dengler, J. 2016. Plot sizes used for phytosociological sampling of bryophyte and lichen micro-communities. — Herzogia 29: 654–667.To study the ecology of bryophytes and lichens, a plot-based approach in the tradition of phytosociology is widely used in Europe. Plot size has a crucial influence on the outcome of various analyses. Vegetation-environment analyses, biodiversity studies and vegetation classifications can be strongly biased if different plot sizes are compared or combined. For this reason, standard plot sizes have been recommended repeatedly. We collected 122 articles from eight international journals to analyse which plot sizes they used for sampling bryophyte and lichen communities. We found 11,573 relevés from 19 European countries, with German data and bryophyte communities being prevailing. Overall plot sizes ranged from 0.0002 to 30 m2. The medians of plots sizes of saxicolous, corticolous, terricolous and lignicolous communities were all in the range of 0.04 to 0.09 m2. Much smaller plots were used for bird casts and for epiphyllous micro-communities, with the smallest plots being only 2.1 cm2 in size. The largest plots exceeded 1m2 and were mostly used for terricolous lichen communities, in which most authors also recorded vascular plants. The most frequently used plot sizes in all data were 0.04, 0.01 and 0.03 m2, while differences between the substrate types and among the two taxa were of subordinate importance. To replace the former vague criteria used to determine the plot size, like minimum area, representativeness and homogeneity, we recommend the use of a standard plot size for future studies of cryptogam micro-communities. To achieve best-possible compatibility with former studies, 0.04m2 (20cm × 20 cm) appears as a good option. If cryptogam-rich vegetation types regularly cover many square metres or even hectares, we recommend to analyse them not only as micro-communities, but, including the co-occurring vascular plants and using plot sizes of 4–16 m2, also as part of the normal system of complete plant communities, where such types typically had been neglected. Finally, we emphasize the fundamental difference between complete phytocoenoses, which alone should be considered in conventional syntaxonomy, and partial communities (merocoenoses, synusia), which better should be treated in a parallel classification system with its own ranks. Plot size can be considered as strong circumstantial evidence, whether a record refers to a complete phytocoenosis or to a synusia. We recommend assuming for plot sizes below 1 m2 that they are either synusiae or incomplete records of phytocoenoses, thus in either case not suitable for conventional syntaxonomy. Syntaxa based on such micro-plots should generally be considered as invalid.

Selective isolation of potentially phosphate-mobilizing, biosurfactant-producing and biodegradative bacteria associated with a sub-Arctic, terricolous lichen, Peltigera membranacea.

Lichens are the symbiotic association of fungi and a photosynthetic partner. However, non-phototrophic bacteria are also present and thought to comprise an essential part of the lichen symbiosis, although their roles in the symbiosis are still poorly understood. In this study, we isolated and characterized 110 non-phototrophic bacterial lichen associates from thalli of the terricolous lichen Peltigera membranacea The biodegradative and other nutrient-scavenging properties studied among selected isolates were phosphate mobilization, biosurfactant production and degradation of napthalene and several biopolymers, suggesting organic and inorganic nutrient scavenging as roles for bacteria in the lichen symbiotic association. Identification by partial 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the isolates comprised 18 genera within the Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, many with high similarities with bacteria typically associated with the plant and rhizosphere environments, could suggest that plants may be important sources of terricolous lichen-associated bacteria, or vice versa.

Short-term response of Cladonia lichen communities to logging and fire in boreal forests

Fire is the major disturbance agent in boreal forests that initiates forest regeneration and succession, and plays a major role in determining the composition of terricolous lichen communities. In recent decades however, logging has become an important disturbance agent in boreal forests. In this context, growing concerns about logging effects on endangered species such as woodland caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) has emerged and drawn attention on how reindeer lichens (i.e. Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia mitis, Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia stellaris, and Cladonia stygia) respond to logging and fire given their importance as winter forage for caribou. We compared critical lichen habitat factors (i.e., forest floor thickness, tree height, and canopy closure) between fire and logged sites and evaluated how Cladonia lichen species richness, biomass, and ground cover were related to these habitat factors in the first decades following disturbance. We found no significant differences in habitat factors and no significant differences in lichen species richness or ground cover between logged and fire sites. However, Cladonia lichen biomass was significantly higher following logging. These results support the hypothesis that Cladonia lichens can persist following logging and suggest that forestry practices that include in their toolbox winter harvesting or machinery traffic restricted to specific trails are likely to preserve undisturbed forest floor habitat conditions with source populations of lichens.

Recent literature on lichens—240

Recent literature on lichens—240

Heavy metal accumulation and the practical application of lichens as bioindicators for heavy metal pollution in surface soil

Levels of trace element pollution in surface soil have been estimated using soil analyses and leaching tests. These methods may reveal different results due to the effect of soil properties on the elemental availability. Therefore, this study advocates an alternative method for monitoring and assessment of trace element pollution in surface soil using terricolous fruticose lichens. Lichens and their substrata were analyzed using particle induced X-ray emission (PIXE), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and XRF to clarify the relationships between Cu, Zn, As and Pb concentrations in lichens and soils, including their absorption properties. Concentrations of these elements in the lichens were positively correlated with those in the soils regardless of lichen species, location, habitat, or conditions of soils. The analyzed lichens had neither competitive nor antagonistic properties in their elemental absorption, which made them good bioindicators of trace element pollution in surface soil. The distribution maps of average Cu, Zn, As and Pb concentrations at each sampling region was detected at almost all of the Cu, Zn and As pollution of the soils. Therefore, lichens could be used in practical applications to monitor Cu, Zn and As pollution in surface soils.

Terricolous Lichens in the Glacier Forefield of the Pasterze (Eastern Alps, Carinthia, Austria).

The investigation of lichens on soil, plant debris and terricolous mosses in the glacier forefield of the Pasterze yielded 35 lichen species. Placidiopsis oreades Breuss (Verrucariales) is new to Austria. Three sampling sites were established at increasing distance from the glacier, in order to compare species diversity, abundance and composition within the forefield and with four other glacier forefields of the Eastern Alps.

Terricolous Lichens in the Glacier Forefield of the Morteratsch Glacier (Eastern Alps, Graubünden, Switzerland).

Three sampling sites were established at increasing distance from the Morteratsch glacier to investigate lichen communities on soil in the glacier forefield. The survey yielded 13 lichen species and one lichenicolous fungus. Peltigera extenuata (Nyl. ex Vain.) Lojka (Peltigerales) is new to the canton of Graubünden.

The Terricolous Lichens of Munich (Germany) — a Preliminary Evaluation

Feuerer, T. & Brackel, W. v. 2015. The terricolous lichens of Munich (Germany) — a preliminary evaluation. — Herzogia 28: 370–377.40 species of terricolous lichens are listed for the city of Munich, 14 of these have not been seen since the 19th century and therefore are classified as ‘most likely extinct’. Five species are listed for the first time for the city. 90% of the actual flora is threatened at different levels of intensity; some of these species are only represented by a single specimen.

How will the semi-natural vegetation of the UK have changed by 2030 given likely changes in nitrogen deposition?

Nitrogen deposition is known to have major impacts on contemporary ecosystems but few studies have addressed how these impacts will develop over coming decades. We consider likely changes to British semi-natural vegetation up to the year 2030 both qualitatively, based on knowledge of species responses from experimental and gradient studies, and quantitatively, based on modelling of species relationships in national monitoring data. We used historical N deposition trends and national predictions of changing deposition to calculate cumulative deposition from 1900 to 2030. Data from the Countryside Survey (1978, 1990 and 1998) was used to parameterise models relating cumulative N deposition to Ellenberg N which were then applied to expected future deposition trends. Changes to habitat suitability for key species of grassland, heathland and bog, and broadleaved woodland to 2030 were predicted using the MultiMOVE model. In UK woodlands by 2030 there is likely to be reduced occurrence of lichens, increased grass cover and a shift towards more nitrophilic vascular plant species. In grasslands we expect changing species composition with reduced occurrence of terricolous lichens and, at least in acid grasslands, reduced species richness. In heaths and bogs we project overall reductions in species richness with decreased occurrence of terricolous lichens and some bryophytes, reduced cover of dwarf shrubs and small increases in grasses. Our study clearly suggests that changes in vegetation due to nitrogen deposition are likely to continue through coming decades.

Terricolous lichens of the western Padanian Plain: new records of phytogeographical interest

Very little is known of the earlier lichen flora of the Padanian Plain, the most heavily anthropized and industrialized part of Italy, which is currently extremely poor. Terricolous lichens in particular are the most sensitive to threats, and have almost totally disappeared from the western Padanian Plain. This paper reports new findings of 20 terricolous lichen species, several of which are rare or poorly known in Italy or are of some phytogeographical interest because they are found at lower altitudes than their usual distribution (i.e. Cladonia coccifera, Cladonia uncialis). In addition, Cladonia humilis is new for Lombardy and two other species, Cladonia portentosa and Stereocaulon condensatum, are reported for the second time in the same region. The significance of these species is discussed with regard to their historical records from the same area and their current altitudinal distribution; they were probably much more widespread in the past, but the decline and disappearance of their habitats in lowland areas have been followed by their own disappearance in many localities. A modification of the rarity status of some of these species in the considered phytoclimatic belts, based on the new records, is proposed.

Lichen physiological traits and growth forms affect communities of associated invertebrates.

While there has been much interest in the relationships between traits of primary producers and composition of associated invertebrate consumer communities, our knowledge is largely based on studies from vascular plants, while other types of functionally important producers, such as lichens, have rarely been considered. To address how physiological traits of lichens drive community composition of invertebrates, we collected thalli from 27 lichen species from southern Norway and quantified the communities of associated springtails, mites, and nematodes. For each lichen species, we measured key physiological thallus traits and determined whether invertebrate communities were correlated with these traits. We also explored whether invertebrate communities differed among lichen groups, categorized according to nitrogen-fixing ability, growth form, and substratum. Lichen traits explained up to 39% of the variation in abundances of major invertebrate groups. For many invertebrate groups, abundance was positively correlated with lichen N and P concentrations, N:P ratio, and the percentage of water content on saturation (WC), but had few relationships with concentrations of carbon-based secondary compounds. Diversity and taxonomic richness of invertebrate groups were sometimes also correlated with lichen N and N:P ratios. Nitrogen-fixing lichens showed higher abundance and diversity of some invertebrate groups than did non-N-fixing lichens. However, this emerged in part because most N-fixing lichens have a foliose growth form that benefits invertebrates, through, improving the microclimate, independently of N concentration. Furthermore, invertebrate communities associated with terricolous lichens were determined more by their close proximity to the soil invertebrate pool than by lichen traits. Overall, our results reveal that differences between lichen species have a large impact on the invertebrate communities that live among the thalli. Different invertebrate groups show contrasting responses to traits that are indicative of thallus quality (nutrient concentrations), and thallus growth form is often an important determinant of the invertebrate community. Given the large diversity of lichen traits and growth forms that occur in many ecosystems, lichen-invertebrate communities may be an important contributor to overall community diversity in boreal forests.

Contribution of lichens in the formation of biological soil crusts in the steppes of the Khangai upland (Mongolia)

Biological soil crusts in the biogeocenoses of the dry steppes of the Khangai upland are formed by combinations of complexes of terricolous lichen synusiums composed of different lichen species and life forms. Lichens of seven life forms are represented in the studied lichen synusiums. The synusium of Xanthoparmelia camtschadalis vagrant lichen occurs most often in the studied biogeocenoses.

Contrasting responses of epiphytic and terricolous lichens to variations in forest characteristics in northern boreal ecosystems

The main environmental factors that drive lichen communities are still poorly known in northern boreal ecosystems. This study compares the effects of forest stand characteristics (height, canopy cover, and age) on fruticose epiphytic and terricolous lichen communities across a large region located at the interface between closed-crown boreal forests and northern open woodlands in the province of Quebec (Canada). The dataset consists of 875 plots spread across a 242 000 km2 territory that ranges from the eastern to the western extremities of the province. The biomass of fruticose epiphytic lichens (Alectoria, Bryoria, Evernia, and Usnea) was evaluated at the branch, tree, and plot levels, and terricolous lichen cover (Cladonia spp.) was evaluated at the plot level. The results indicate that epiphytic and terricolous lichens respond significantly but differently to variations in forest characteristics. At the plot level, epiphytic lichen biomass was highest in the oldest stands (>100 years) and lowest in stand with low canopy cover (<25%) or in stands dominated by relatively short trees (<7 m). By contrast, terricolous lichen cover was highest in stands dominated by short (<7 m) or mid-sized (7–12 m) trees and lowest in stands with a relatively high canopy cover (>40%) or stands of intermediate age (60 to 100 years old). Species composition of epiphytic communities was also examined, and some species or genera exhibit a strong association with older stands (Alectoria sarmentosa (Ach.) Ach., Bryoria spp.) or with specific regions along the ca. 1500 km east–west gradient (Evernia mesomorpha Nyl. in the western part, Bryoria spp. in the central part, and A. sarmentosa in the eastern part). In terms of conservation, these results indicate that epiphytic lichens communities are potentially sensitive to the preferential logging of older stands. Both epiphytic and terricolous lichen communities are also potentially sensitive to expected climate change effects such as increased fire frequencies or increased forest growth.