scholarly journals Impact of Fraxinus excelsior dieback on biota of ash-associated lichen epiphytes at the landscape and community level

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 431-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Łubek ◽  
Martin Kukwa ◽  
Patryk Czortek ◽  
Bogdan Jaroszewicz
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Landscape Scale ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Fraxinus Excelsior ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Ash Dieback ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Alternative Hosts ◽  
Rich Diversity ◽  
Lichen Biota

Abstract The landscape-scale extinction of a tree species may have a negative impact on diversity of associated epiphytic species. We used ordination and hierarchical clustering methods to assess landscape and the community level effects of reduction in the abundance of European ash Fraxinus excelsior, caused by ash dieback, on the associated epiphytic lichen biota in Białowieża Forest (Poland)—the best preserved forest complex in Central Europe. At the landscape level ash decline impact on the biota of ash-associated epiphytic lichens was weak, due to the high diversity of tree species, which may serve as potential alternative hosts. At this level, oak and hornbeam are the most important alternative hosts, assuring the maintenance of ash-associated epiphytic lichens. Lime, alder, and hazel appeared to be less important but still may serve as substitute phorophytes to approximately 2/3 of the ash-associated lichen biota. About 90% of epiphytic biota are likely to survive on the landscape scale. However, at the community level of alder-ash floodplain forest, where ash was dominant, about 50% of ash-associated epiphytic lichen species are threatened by ash dieback. Our results highlight the importance of a spatial scale in conservation biology. Protection of large forest areas with rich diversity of phorophyte trees increases chances of survival of the associated epiphytic organisms.

scholarly journals The value of alien roadside trees for epiphytic lichen species along an urban pollution gradient

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Theresa Möller ◽  
Jens Oldeland ◽  
Matthias Schultz
Keyword(s):  
Alien Species ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Urban Climate ◽  
Urban Pollution ◽  
Traffic Volume ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
Species Pairs

Abstract Alien tree species have been introduced to Europe and often used as roadside trees. Currently, preference is given to species that are adapted to urban climate and drier conditions. Native epiphytic lichens are adapted to local tree species; however, little is known whether a shift toward more alien roadside trees would affect the diversity of epiphytic lichens within cities. We considered three genera of roadside trees that are common in Hamburg (Germany) Acer, Tilia, and Quercus, each with a native and an alien species per genus. Species numbers, frequency and diversity of epiphytic lichens were assessed and compared. Tree locations were grouped according to three classes of increasing traffic volume as a proxy for air pollution. Mean bark pH values have been recorded for each tree individual. The species pairs Quercus robur/rubra and Acer platanoides/saccharinum showed significant differences in the diversity and abundance of lichens, with the alien species showing lower values. The species pair Tilia cordata/tomentosa did not show any significant differences. The number of nitrogen-tolerant lichen species differed little among all tree species. Lichen species richness decreased with increasing traffic volume for all tree species pairs, thus demonstrating the inhibiting effect of traffic on the occurrence of lichens. Bark pH differed little between the species pairs yet high traffic volume resulted in an increased bark pH. In conclusion, two out of three alien species had negative effects on lichen diversity. Further tree species should be assessed to better estimate the effect of alien roadside trees on lichen diversity.

scholarly journals Tree species identity and composition shape the epiphytic lichen community of structurally simple boreal forests over vast areas

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0257564
Author(s):  
Julian Klein ◽  
Matthew Low ◽  
Göran Thor ◽  
Jörgen Sjögren ◽  
Eva Lindberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forest ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Stem Diameter ◽  
Host Tree ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Managed Forests ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Lichen Community

Greatly simplified ecosystems are often neglected for biodiversity studies. However, these simplified systems dominate in many regions of the world, and a lack of understanding of what shapes species occurrence in these systems can have consequences for biodiversity and ecosystem services at a massive scale. In Fennoscandia, ~90% of the boreal forest (~21Mha) is structurally simplified with little knowledge of how forest structural elements shape the occurrence and diversity of for example epiphytic lichens in these managed forests. One form of structural simplification is the reduction of the number and frequency of different tree species. As many lichen species have host tree preferences, it is particularly likely that this simplification has a huge effect on the lichen community in managed forests. In a 40–70 years old boreal forest in Sweden, we therefore related the occurrence and richness of all observed epiphytic lichens to the host tree species and beta and gamma lichen diversity at the forest stand level to the stand’s tree species composition and stem diameter. Picea abies hosted the highest lichen richness followed by Pinus sylvestris, Quercus robur, Alnus glutinosa, Betula spp., and Populus tremula. However, P. tremula hosted twice as many uncommon species as any of the other tree species. Stand level beta and gamma diversity was twice as high on stands with four compared to one tree species, and was highest when either coniferous or deciduous trees made up 40–50% of the trees. The stem diameter was positively related to lichen richness at the tree and stand level, but negatively to beta diversity. For biodiversity, these findings imply that leaving a few trees of a different species during forest thinning is unlikely as effective as combining life-boat trees for endangered species with an even tree species mixture.

scholarly journals Tree Diversity and Their Regeneration in the Sacred Groves of Virajpet, Central Western Ghats, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 360-369
Author(s):  
Devi A.G. PRASAD ◽  
Shwetha BHARATHI
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Western Ghats ◽  
Basal Area ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Tree Species Composition ◽  
Rich Diversity ◽  
Central Western Ghats ◽  
Undisturbed Forest ◽  
The Rich

Sacred groves are one of the finest examples of informal way of conserving the forest wealth. Baseline data collection of their diversity, distribution and regeneration capacity becomes necessary for the management and conservation of these undisturbed forest patches. In this context, the present investigation was carried out using random quadrat method in the sacred groves of Virajpet, Karnataka, India. A total of 132 tree species belonging to 113 genera and 45 families were identified within five sacred groves. Higher basal area (51.73-85.65 m2/ha) and tree density (453.33-515.9 individuals/ha) were observed as compared to other forests of Western Ghats region. The present investigation has revealed a healthy regeneration of tree species. Seedling and sapling composition differed to some extent from the mature tree species composition which could be used in predicting the future possibilities. Protection and conservation of such sacred groves should be of interest, for better regeneration of the rich diversity they harbour.

scholarly journals A Pine Is a Pine and a Spruce Is a Spruce – The Effect of Tree Species and Stand Age on Epiphytic Lichen Communities

PLoS ONE ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. e0147004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sofia Bäcklund ◽  
Mari Jönsson ◽  
Joachim Strengbom ◽  
Andreas Frisch ◽  
Göran Thor
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen

ANALYSIS OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF EPIPHYTIC LICHENS ON QUERCUS PUBESCENS ALONG AN ALTITUDINAL GRADIENT IN A MEDITERRANEAN AREA (TUSCANY, CENTRAL ITALY)

1997 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefano Loppi ◽  
Stergios Arg. Pirintsos ◽  
Vincenzo De Dominicis
Keyword(s):  
Altitudinal Gradient ◽  
Central Italy ◽  
Mediterranean Area ◽  
Multivariate Techniques ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Climatic Parameters ◽  
Quercus Pubescens ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
The Core ◽  
Satellite Species

The distribution of epiphytic lichens on Quercus pubescens in Tuscany, central Italy, was studied by means of multivariate techniques along an altitudinal gradient from 0 to 900 m. Great differences in community structure were found and the altitude of 500 m was identified as an ecotone. Epiphytic lichen vegetation on trees below the ecotone varied significantly in relation to bark pH. Climatic parameters (temperature and rainfall) were probably related to altitude. Dust was probably responsible for the rise in bark pH. The distribution of lichen species in the sampling belts fitted the core-satellite hypothesis. The use of core and satellite species as biomonitors of air pollution and bioindicators of environmental conditions is discussed.

scholarly journals Hyrcanian forests-Stable rear-edge populations harbouring high genetic diversity of Fraxinus excelsior, a common European tree species

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (11) ◽  
pp. 1521-1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Ortvald Erichsen ◽  
Katharina Birgit Budde ◽  
Khosro Sagheb-Talebi ◽  
Francesca Bagnoli ◽  
Giovanni Giuseppe Vendramin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Fraxinus Excelsior ◽  
High Genetic Diversity ◽  
Hyrcanian Forests ◽  
Rear Edge ◽  
Edge Populations

scholarly journals Ash pollen allergy and aerobiology

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
pp. 289-298 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Gassner ◽  
Peter Schmid-Grendelmeier ◽  
Bernard Clot
Keyword(s):  
School Children ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Birch Pollen ◽  
Pollen Allergy ◽  
Fraxinus Excelsior ◽  
Screening Tests ◽  
Fraxinus Americana ◽  
Ash Dieback ◽  
Pollen Emission ◽  
Pollen Concentrations

Abstract Background Allergy to ash pollen is common in some parts of Europe. Sensitization is overlooked if Oleaceae pollen allergens are not included in screening tests. Methods Between 1983 and 2007, sensitization to aeroallergens was systematically investigated using serological methods in 15-year-old school children (Immuno-CAP [carrier polymer] test). Samples from 1986 and 2006 were also tested using the immuno-solid-phase allergen chip (ISAC) assay. School children with sensitizations in 1986 were retested in 2010. Airborne pollen concentrations were determined by the Swiss pollen measuring network. Results Sensitization (>0.7 kU/l) to ash pollen (Fraxinus americana t15)—16.3% (102/627)—was more frequent than to birch pollen (Betula verrucosa t3): 15.3% (96/627). ISAC assays performed in children in 1986 and 2006 revealed higher molecular seroprevalence for nOle e 1 (15%; 15/100) compared to rBet v 1 (12%; 12/100). Followed-up subjects (age, 39) showed an increase in sensitizations to ash pollen. IgE levels to pollen from indigenous ash (Fraxinus excelsior t25) were higher than to pollen from American ash (Fraxinus americana t15). Low ash pollen emission levels were recorded at all measuring sites in Switzerland every 2–4 years. The infection of ashes by Chalara fraxinea resulted in increased emission of ash pollen. Conclusion Symptoms in individuals sensitized to ash pollen vary according to the pollen count and may be masked by pollen from other trees that flower at the same time of year. Sensitization to ash/Ole e 1 can be higher than to birch/Bet v 1. The determination of IgE to common ash (Fraxinus excelsior) is more sensitive than to American ash (Fraxinus americana). Ash dieback due to Chalara appears to increase pollen emission. Allergies to ash pollen can be significantly underestimated due to a failure to (correctly) identify them; they can also be masked by other pollen families (birch). Harmful organisms such as Chalara can intensify pollen emissions at least temporarily.

scholarly journals Index of Atmospheric Purity reflects the ecological conditions better than the environmental pollution in the Carpathian forests

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (11) ◽  
pp. 2691-2706
Author(s):  
Magdalena Tanona ◽  
Paweł Czarnota
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Metals ◽  
Spatial Distribution ◽  
Environmental Pollution ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Ecological Indicator ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Ecological Conditions ◽  
Lichen Biota ◽  
High Degree

Abstract The Index of Atmospheric Purity (IAP) is a popular tool used for the assessment of air quality in polluted urban areas, on the basis of phytosociological data of epiphytic lichen communities. We hypothesized that this indicator could also be used in less polluted forest areas to determine the quality of ecological conditions for lichens. The aim of the present study was to verify the use of IAP method in the assessment of environmental pollution, and alternatively for the assessment of general ecological conditions in protected mountain forests of Gorce National Park (Polish Western Carpathians) based on the epiphytic lichen biota associated with Picea abies. The spatial distribution of IAP values on monitored sites in GNP was compared with: 1) spatial distribution of accumulated sulfur, nitrogen, selected heavy metals, and total heavy metals in Hypogymnia physodes thalli in 1993 and 2018 (30 sites), 2) mean ecological indicator values characterizing species requirements for light (L), substrate reaction (R) and nutrients (N), in 1993, 2013 and 2018 (33 sites). Generalized linear model and redundancy analysis were performed for disclosing most influencing factors affecting lichen communities. The study revealed a few negligible relationships between IAP values and accumulation of such elements as Ni, Mn, Cd, and Cr in both monitoring periods. Simultaneously, IAP can be useful for the identification of forest areas with a high degree of naturalness.

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