Epiphytic lichens as indicators of air pollution in Tomsk Oblast (Russia)

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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Bioassessing air pollution effects with epiphytic lichens in Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.A

The Bryologist ◽

10.1639/0007-2745-113.1.39 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 113 (1) ◽

pp. 39-50 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Gary B. Perlmutter

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

North Carolina ◽

Epiphytic Lichens ◽

Pollution Effects ◽

Air Pollution Effects

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An Assessment of the Sampling Procedure for Estimating air Pollution Using Epiphytic Lichens as Indicators

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1006/lich.1993.1024 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 25 (2) ◽

pp. 165-173 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

S. A. Pirintsos ◽

D. Vokou ◽

J. Diamantopoulos ◽

D. J. Galloway

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Detrended Correspondence Analysis ◽

Pollution Source ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Epiphytic Lichens ◽

Indicator Species Analysis ◽

Experimental Site ◽

Breast Height ◽

Species Analysis ◽

The City

AbstractUsing the response of epiphytic lichens in and around the city of Thessaloniki (Greece) to an air pollution source, the value of sampling lichens at breast height and the base of trees was compared. The data obtained were processed with detrended correspondence analysis and polythetic divisive two-way indicator species analysis, and IAP (index of atmospheric purity) values were estimated for each experimental site. The tree base IAP values were higher than those at breast height, reflecting the higher number of species present, the generally increased cover and frequency of occurrence. IAP values at the two sampling heights suggest a linear relationship and the same holds for the tree base IAP values and the first axis ordination scores. Sampling at the base resulted in better discrimination of sites, and may, therefore, offer more accurate monitoring of changes induced by air pollution.

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An Assessment of the Sampling Procedure for Estimating air Pollution Using Epiphytic Lichens as Indicators

The Lichenologist ◽

10.1017/s0024282993000222 ◽

1993 ◽

Vol 25 (02) ◽

pp. 165 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

S. A. Pirintsos ◽

D. Vokou ◽

J. Diamantopoulos ◽

D. J. Galloway

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Sampling Procedure ◽

Epiphytic Lichens

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The response of epiphytic lichens to air pollution and subsets of ecological predictors: A case study from the Italian Prealps

Environmental Pollution ◽

10.1016/j.envpol.2007.06.040 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 151 (2) ◽

pp. 308-317 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Fabiana Cristofolini ◽

Paolo Giordani ◽

Elena Gottardini ◽

Paolo Modenesi

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Epiphytic Lichens ◽

Ecological Predictors

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Air Pollution Influences Epiphytic Lichen Diversity in the Northeast of Thailand

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.1030-1032.287 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 1030-1032 ◽

pp. 287-291

Author(s):

Waewdao Dathong ◽

Nathawut Thanee ◽

Wanaruk Saipunkaew ◽

Murray A. Potter ◽

Thanapan Thanee

Keyword(s):

Air Pollution ◽

Air Quality ◽

Population Size ◽

Human Population ◽

Mangifera Indica ◽

Annual Rainfall ◽

Traffic Density ◽

Epiphytic Lichens ◽

Epiphytic Lichen ◽

Lichen Diversity

This work aimed to investigate epiphytic lichens on mango trees (Mangifera indica L.) in the municipality habitats of the Northeast of Thailand based on the Verein Deutscher Ingenieure protocol and define the factors that influence their diversity. Ninety-one taxa were observed, 21 of them are macrolichens, 87 species found outside municipality and 70 species found inside municipality. The factors that most affected epiphytic lichen diversity were tree circumference, days of rainfall, bark pH, area surrounding and annual rainfall and negatively affected by population size, temperature, and distance from road. This work concluded that traffic density and human population size reduce air quality and influenced epiphytic diversity in the municipal habitats in the Northeast of Thailand, and lichens are bioindicators of air pollution in this region.

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