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.

Corticolous Lichen Species Diversity on Dominant Trees in Selected Sacred Groves of Paschim Medinipur District, West Bengal, India

2021 ◽  
Vol 63 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 447-464
Author(s):  
U. K. Sen ◽  
R. K. Bhakat
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Growth Forms ◽  
Sacred Groves ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Shorea Robusta ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
Community Based Conservation

Sacred groves are the fairly well-protected system of community-based conservation of tree patches on account of their association with village gods, and repository of many rare and threatened elements of biodiversity. There are, however, few publications on lichens of sacred groves. The lichens have long been regarded as sensitive indicators for monitoring environmental state. The present study reports one hundred and sixteen species of lichens from forty-four genera of nineteen families in four selected sacred groves of Paschim Medinipur district, West Bengal. These lichens represent two different growth forms, i.e. crustose (105 species) and foliose (11 species). Shorea robusta, a dominant tree species in two sacred groves bears the highest lichen diversity with seventy-four species. To better understand the related biodiversity and climate, this work is likely to promote further studies on lichen diversity in other regions of West Bengal.

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.

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.

Lichens as indicators of atmospheric pollution in urban ecosystems

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Alexey Mikhaylov
Keyword(s):  
Indicator Species ◽  
Urban Ecosystems ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Large Cities ◽  
Industrial Enterprises ◽  
Xanthoria Parietina ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Lichen Indication

Modern methods of lichen indication allow assessing the impact of climate change and air pollution on ecosystem health. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the general state of atmospheric air in urban ecosystems of cities and towns using lichen indication methods. The objectives of the study included identifying lichen indicator species, as well as assessing the response of these species to various pollutants (e.g., lead, iron, manganese). The study was conducted in 2017 in the Bryansk region of the Russian Federation (9 settlements in total) and the Oryol region (1 settlement – the city of Oryol). Four hundred samples belonging to epiphytic lichens were collected. Additional 300 and 137 samples of epiphytic lichens were used for chemical and toxicological analyses, respectively. The following two generally accepted lichen indicator indices were calculated: poleotolerance index (PI) and atmospheric purity index (API). When calculating the latter, the lichen species Xanthoria parietina was used as the baseline. Epiphytic lichens in small settlements were represented by 50 species (28 genera, 8 families). In large cities, 55 (Bryansk) and 53 (Oryol) species of epiphytic lichens were detected. The number of species in small settlements was 1.5 times lower than that of large cities. There were 8-15 and 25-32 species of epiphytic lichens in the central region and in the periphery of Bryansk, respectively. The number of epiphytic lichen species detected in the parks was 41. Within the territory of large cities, 17 species of lichens were identified as potential indicators, since they were found in every second or fourth sample. Maximum concentrations of lead were recorded in industrial areas of cities, as well as near major roads with traffic intersection and bridges and in some dormitory suburbs. This is a distinctive feature of large cities – the predominance of lead in lichen thalli, which is primarily associated with vehicles. In small cities in which there are no specific industrial enterprises (metallurgical plants, etc.), other heavy metals – manganese and iron – prevail in the thalli of lichens. In this work, new methods are adopted – mapping pollution with the use of nitrophilous epiphytic lichens that reflect the ongoing macro processes of nitrification in urban areas. The authors have proposed and tested the following lichen indicator methods: the use of indicator species (epiphytes-nitrophytes) of various sensitivities and the study of their distribution within the territory. The mapping method has been substantiated, which takes into account the API and zoning of territories according to the level of general pollution. Among the indicator species, Xanthoria parietina turned out to be the most suitable one.

Air Pollution Influences Epiphytic Lichen Diversity in the Northeast of Thailand

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.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Epiphytic Lichen Species Distribution in a Managed Mediterranean Pinus nigra Arnold Forest

Diversity ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ece Sevgi ◽  
Osman Yalçın Yılmaz ◽  
Gülşah Çobanoğlu Özyiğitoğlu ◽  
Hüseyin Barış Tecimen ◽  
Orhan Sevgi
Keyword(s):  
Tree Height ◽  
Pinus Nigra ◽  
Geographic Region ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Pine Forests ◽  
Stand Age ◽  
Black Pine ◽  
Frequency Data ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Lichen Diversity

Lichens have important ecological functions in black pine forests, such as nitrogen fixation and nutrient cycling. Understanding lichen diversity could provide a better understanding of black pine ecosystems. The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting the composition of lichen communities and their specific diversity in Mediterranean black pine forests. Research was conducted in 48 sampling plots. For the analysis, presence–absence and frequency data of lichen species were used. For stand level analysis, four community composition tables were created. We used bioclimate, topography, stand, and parent rock as variables. A total of 33 epiphytic lichen species were identified in the black pine forests from 282 sampled trees. Indicator lichen species were determined according to geographic region and stand age classes. Hypocenomyce scalaris was found to be an indicator species for old forests. Frequency data were more useful for revealing lichen species composition than presence–absence data. Of the topographic variables, elevation was the most prominent and had the highest explanation ratio for the composition of lichen species with a coefficient of correlation (R2) value of 0.49. Significantly positive (p < 0.001) relationships were found between epiphytic lichen richness and tree crown height, tree height, and bark pH. Our results revealed that to retain the trees in the stands rich in lichen species diversity is recommended in the managed forests.

Lichens on Picea abies and Pinus sylvestris – from tree bottom to the top

2013 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 51-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
Liis MARMOR ◽  
Tiiu TÕRRA ◽  
Lauri SAAG ◽  
Ede LEPPIK ◽  
Tiina RANDLANE
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Gradient ◽  
Common Species ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Coniferous Forests ◽  
Epiphytic Lichens ◽  
Forest Canopies ◽  
Number Of Species ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
The Mean ◽  
One New Species

AbstractThe vertical gradient of the community structure of epiphytic lichens in forest canopies was studied in southern Estonian coniferous forests. All lichen species on 15 Norway spruces and 15 Scots pines were recorded; age of trees ≥100 years. Species were sampled in height ranges on entire trees from the bottom to the top. The number of lichen species on pine trunks decreased with height from the ground, whereas the number of species on branches increased. There was no significant vertical change in the number of lichen species on spruce trunks; number of species on spruce branches was highest in mid canopy. The mean number of lichen species on a tree was 41 in spruces and 34 in pines; the mean number of species on the first 2 m was 14 in spruces and 12 in pines. According to the results, about two thirds of a tree's lichen species remain unrecorded if only the first 2 m near the ground are surveyed. Many lichen species were found only higher than 2 m, including several common species (e.g. Buellia griseovirens, Lecanora pulicaris, and Melanohalea exasperatula), but also some locally rather rare (Fellhanera subtilis, Micarea nitschkeana, Rinodina efflorescens) or red-listed ones (Evernia mesomorpha, Usnea barbata, U. fulvoreagens, U. substerilis, U. wasmuthii) and one new species for Estonia, Lecanora farinaria. There were also some species, such as Chaenotheca stemonea, Cladonia cenotea and C. norvegica, that were restricted to the lowest 2 m. The results indicate that canopy lichens form a significant part of lichen diversity in coniferous forests, and could add valuable information when estimating forest lichen diversity for conservation and other purposes.

scholarly journals Старі штучні парки як осередки різноманіття епіфітних лишайників Півдня України

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 148-163
Author(s):  
Darmostuk V.V. ◽  
Khodosovtsev A.Ye.
Keyword(s):  
Tree Species ◽  
Quercus Robur ◽  
Biological Diversity ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Fraxinus Excelsior ◽  
Illegal Logging ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
Southern Ukraine ◽  
Total Diversity

Old artificial parks are an important component of the cultural heritage in Southern Ukraine which represents a significant variety of specific habitats for lichen diversity. The aim of our research was to analyze the total lichen diversity in parks as well as the representation of rare and protected species. Most of the data were collected by the authors during expeditions in Southern Ukraine during 2017–2020 in Kherson and Mykolaiv regions. Overall, we identified 108 lichen species and 21 lichenicolous fungi within 17 old parks. The highest lichen diversity was recorded in parks “Labirynt” (66 species) and “Nedogirskyi Forest” (61 species). We found 18 lichen species (16.6 %) included in the Red List of Kherson and Mykolaiv regions and 25 (23.8%) rare forest-dwelling species. We concluded that old artificial parks are very important habitats for lichen diversity in the steppe zone of Ukraine as well as the unique localities for such species as Graphis scripta, Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Sclerophora pallida in Southern Ukraine. The total diversity of lichens did nоt have a significant correlation with the total number of tree species due to the dominance of several tree species (Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur), while most other phorophytes are young and represented singly. All old parks should become local reserves to preserve the overall biological diversity in their territories, protect against illegal logging, and regulate potential recreational activities. Keywords: biodiversity, Graphis, Hyperphyscia, Sclerophora, Mykolaiv, Kherson, rare species. Старі штучні парки є важливою складовою природної та культурної спадщини півдня України, яка представляє значну різноманітність специфічних місцезростань для лишайників. Метою нашого дослідження було проаналізувати загальне різноманіття лишайників у старих парках, а також поширення рідкісних видів, та видів, що охороняються. Більшість матеріалів було зібрано під час експедиційних досліджень протягом 2017–2020 років у Херсонській та Миколаївській областях. У цілому, було виявлено 108 видів лишайників та 21 ліхенофільних грибів на території 17 старих парків. Найбільше різноманіття лишайників зафіксовано в парках «Лабіринт» (66 видів) та «Недогірський ліс» (61 видів). Ми виявили 18 видів лишайників (16,6 %), занесених до Червоного списку Херсонської та Миколаївської областей та 26 (24 %) рідкісних видів, які приурочені до штучних лісових біотопів. З огляду на це, старі парки є дуже важливими територіями для збереження різноманіття лишайників у степовій зоні України, а також унікальними місцезростаннями таких видів, як Graphis scripta, Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Sclerophora pallida на півдні України.Встановлено, що загальне різноманіття лишайників не мало статистично значущої кореляції із загальною кількістю порід дерев, що може бути пов’язано з домінуванням кількох порід дерев (Fraxinus excelsior, Quercus robur), тоді як більшість інших форофітів молоді та представлені одиничними екземплярами. Усі старі парки мають увійти до природно-заповідного фонду як ботанічні заказники для збереження загального біологічного різноманіття на своїх територіях, захисту від незаконних вирубок та регулювання потенційної рекреаційної діяльності. Ключові слова: біорізноманіття, Graphis, Hyperphyscia, Sclerophora, Миколаїв, Херсон, рідкісні види.

Age and epiphytic lichen diversity of the dwarf shrub Helianthemumoelandicum on the island of Öland, Sweden

2009 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 537-545 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. FRÖBERG ◽  
M. NIKLASSON ◽  
H. PALTTO ◽  
T. KNUTSSON ◽  
T. JOHANSSON
Keyword(s):  
Root Diameter ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Dwarf Shrub ◽  
Calcareous Grassland ◽  
Species Number ◽  
Epiphytic Lichen ◽  
Dwarf Shrubs ◽  
Lichen Diversity ◽  
Lichen Cover

AbstractLichen cover and diversity were analysed on the dwarf shrub Helianthemum oelandicum (L.) Dum.Cours. at one site in the calcareous grassland of the area known as the ‘Great Alvar’ on the Island of Öland, Sweden. The age of 22 phorophytes was determined by ring counting and varied from 8 to 41 years and was accurately predicted by the root diameter. A total of 18 lichen species was found, with a range between 0 and 13 species per phorophyte. The number of lichen species on living H. oelandicum were correlated with the phorophyte age. The number of lichen species and their coverage were greater on dead compared with living phorophytes. The species number was also higher on thin branches compared with thick branches and roots and some of the species showed preferences for dead phorophytes, and for thin branches. This study of lichen colonization and growth on dwarf shrubs in relation to phorophyte age is a new application of herbchronology.

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