Detecting changes in epiphytic lichen communities at sites affected by atmospheric ammonia from agricultural sources

2006 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 161-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patricia A. WOLSELEY ◽  
Peter W. JAMES ◽  
Mark R. THEOBALD ◽  
Mark A. SUTTON
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Negative Correlation ◽  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Quercus Petraea ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Indicator Values ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Atmospheric Ammonia ◽  
Ecological Continuity

Lichens were recorded on Quercus petraea trunks and twigs near ammonia recording stations in ‘continental’ Norfolk, and ‘oceanic’ Devon in order to test indicator values developed for epiphytic lichens in areas of high atmospheric ammonia in the Netherlands. Lichens on trunks in Norfolk showed a similar correlation of nitrophyte indices with ammonia concentration and bark pH as those in Holland, whereas in Devon there was no correlation with nitrophyte indices on trunks and a negative correlation with acidophyte indices. Results on twigs in both sites suggest that lichens on twigs respond more rapidly to recent changes in ammonia concentrations while trunks may maintain relict lichen communities due to either a legacy of previous acidification or ecological continuity. The results suggest that loss of acidophytes is taking place prior to the establishment of nitrophytes indicating the importance of establishing levels of ammonia at which sensitive communities are at risk.

scholarly journals Ranking of Epiphytic Lichen Sensitivity to Air Pollution Using Survey Data: A Comparison of Indicator Scales

1999 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. F. van Dobben ◽  
C. J. F. ter Braak
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Survey Data ◽  
Statistical Methods ◽  
Atmospheric Pollution ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Atmospheric Concentrations ◽  
Good Agreement

AbstractEpiphytic lichens were recorded on wayside trees in the Netherlands. Four statistical methods were used to detect the relationship between presence and abundance of lichen species and measured atmospheric concentrations of SO2, NO2 and NH3. The observed relationships were compared to published indicator scales of lichen sensitivity to atmospheric pollution. For SO2, a good agreement was found between all scales and calculated sensitivities based on presence or absence of species. For NO2 and NH3 the correspondence was less obvious. The sensitivity to NH3 was inversely related to Wirth's;s acidity indicator positively to NH3 tend to be sensitive to SO2 and NO2.

scholarly journals Atmospheric Ammonia Concentration Effects on Broiler Growth and Performance

2004 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Beker ◽  
S.L. Vanhooser ◽  
J.H. Swartzlander ◽  
R.G. Teeter
Keyword(s):  
Ammonia Concentration ◽  
Concentration Effects ◽  
Atmospheric Ammonia ◽  
And Performance

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.

Are Dutch Hospitals Prepared for Chemical, Biological, or Radionuclear Incidents? A Survey Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc J.M. Mortelmans ◽  
Menno I. Gaakeer ◽  
Greet Dieltiens ◽  
Kurt Anseeuw ◽  
Marc B. Sabbe
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Radiation Detection ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Publication Type ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Hospital Preparedness ◽  
High Doses

AbstractIntroductionBeing one of Europe’s most densely populated countries, and having multiple nuclear installations, a heavy petrochemical industry, and terrorist targets, the Netherlands is at-risk for chemical, biological, or radionuclear (CBRN) incidents. Recent world and continental events show that this threat is real and that authorities may be underprepared.HypothesisThe hypothesis of this study is that Dutch hospitals are underprepared to deal with these incidents.MethodsA descriptive, cross-sectional study was performed. All 93 Dutch hospitals with an emergency department (ED) were sent a link to an online survey on different aspects of CBRN preparedness. Besides specific hospital information, information was obtained on the hospital’s disaster planning; risk perception; and availability of decontamination units, personal protective equipment (PPE), antidotes, radiation detection, infectiologists, isolation measures, and staff training.ResultsResponse rate was 67%. Sixty-two percent of participating hospitals were estimated to be at-risk for CBRN incidents. Only 40% had decontamination facilities and 32% had appropriate PPE available for triage and decontamination teams. Atropine was available in high doses in all hospitals, but specific antidotes that could be used for treating victims of CBRN incidents, such as hydroxycobolamine, thiosulphate, Prussian blue, Diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), or pralidoxime, were less frequently available (74%, 65%, 18%, 14%, and 42%, respectively). Six percent of hospitals had radioactive detection equipment with an alarm function and 22.5% had a nuclear specialist available 24/7 in case of disasters. Infectiologists were continuously available in 60% of the hospitals. Collective isolation facilities were present in 15% of the hospitals.Conclusion:There is a serious lack of hospital preparedness for CBRN incidents in The Netherlands.MortelmansLJM, GaakeerMI, DieltiensG, AnseeuwK, SabbeMB. Are Dutch hospitals prepared for chemical, biological, or radionuclear incidents? A survey study. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2017;32(5):483–491.

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.

Adverse events and association with age, sex and immunological parameters of Q fever vaccination in patients at risk for chronic Q fever in the Netherlands 2011

Vaccine ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (49) ◽  
pp. 6622-6630 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teske Schoffelen ◽  
Albert Wong ◽  
Hans C. Rümke ◽  
Mihai G. Netea ◽  
Aura Timen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
The Netherlands ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Q Fever ◽  
Immunological Parameters ◽  
Chronic Q Fever ◽  
Patients At Risk

Factors controlling epiphytic lichen biomass during postfire succession in black spruce boreal forests

2009 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 2168-2179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Boudreault ◽  
Yves Bergeron ◽  
Darwyn Coxson
Keyword(s):  
Boreal Forests ◽  
Stand Structure ◽  
Black Spruce ◽  
Tree Age ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Dominant Group ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Structure Tree ◽  
Species Groups

Alectorioid lichens are the dominant group of epiphytic lichens in boreal forests. Epiphytic lichen richness and abundance generally increase with stand age and within-stand heterogeneity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the importance of time elapsed since the last fire, stand structure, tree size, tree age, and branch height for epiphytic lichen biomass of the boreal forest of western Quebec. We sampled 12 sites belonging to four forest age classes (from 50 to >200 years). We assessed epiphytic lichen biomass of three species groups ( Bryoria , Evernia , and Usnea ) on 12 trees in each site. Our results showed that biomass of Bryoria and Usnea was higher in intermediate stages (between 101 and 200 years) compared with younger (50–100 years) and older (>200 years) stages. Biomass of the three species groups was greater on larger diameter trees (>16 cm) compared with smaller ones (<16 cm). These results indicate that the protection of postfire stands aged between 101 and 200 year should be prioritized to maintain the functional role of epiphytic lichens in managed landscapes.

Response of Evernia prunastri to urban environmental conditions in Central Europe after the decrease of air pollution

2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 89-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna LACKOVIČOVÁ ◽  
Anna GUTTOVÁ ◽  
Martin BAČKOR ◽  
Peter PIŠÚT ◽  
Ivan PIŠÚT
Keyword(s):  
Air Pollution ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Photosynthetic Pigments ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Physiological Status ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Evernia Prunastri ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
Positive Correlations

AbstractThe epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri is sensitive to air pollution and reacted by total retreat to the worsening of air quality during the peak of SO2 pollution in Central Europe (1950s–1990). Since 1990, after a significant decrease in air pollution, epiphytic lichens recolonized previously polluted areas, including E. prunastri. We investigated the physiological status of E. prunastri, transplanted for six months in 34 sites in the urban area of Bratislava (Slovakia) under current conditions. The content of chlorophylls, cortical and medullar secondary metabolites and soluble proteins were explored. We then examined the relationship of these parameters with the environmental quality status, reflected by the diversity of epiphytic lichens. The results showed that the physiological status of E. prunastri did not change significantly after exposure. Positive correlations were found between lichen diversity in the sampling sites and physiological parameters (photosynthetic pigments and phaeophytinization quotient) in the transplants. Transplants from sampling sites with a greater proportion of nitrophilous lichens displayed a decrease in photosynthetic pigments. Sites where E. prunastri naturally occurred had a lower proportion of nitrophilous species in comparison to sites where E. prunastri was not present. This suggests that the indicator species E. prunastri may also recolonize sites with low eutrophication in urban environments under decreased air pollution, and the information on its presence can help to assess the pressure caused by nitrogen excess.

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