Assessment of environmental quality by the diversity of epiphytic lichens in a semi-arid Mediterranean area (Val Basento, South Italy)

The results of a bioindication study based on the diversity of epiphytic lichens in a semi-arid area of South Italy are presented. The area features the presence of an industrial zone located in a rural context. The survey was performed in 20 sampling sites. The lichen diversity values (LDV) were determined by the frequencies of all lichen species within a sampling grid placed on tree trunks. Lichens demonstrated a condition of environmental alteration extending to the industrial zone, and tending towards a recovery in the rural surroundings. The survey also showed evidence of eutrophication all over the study area

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 4

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Campylopus, Paludella, Tortula, and Conocephalum, the fungal genera Agonimia, Buelliella, Entorrhiza, Filicupula, Poronia, and Sporisorium, the lichen genera Cladonia, Dibaeis, Lasallia, and Rhizocarpon

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 7

In this contribution, new data concerning algae, bryophytes, fungi, and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the algae genus Chara, the bryophyte genera Cephalozia, Conardia, Conocephalum, Didymodon, Sphagnum, Tetraplodon, and Tortula, the fungal genera Endophyllum, Gymnosporangium, Microbotryum, Phragmidium, and Pluteus, and the lichen genera Candelariella, Cladonia, Flavoplaca, Lichenothelia, Peltigera, Placolecis, Rinodina, Scytinium, and Solenopsora

Notulae to the Italian flora of algae, bryophytes, fungi and lichens: 13

In this contribution, new data concerning bryophytes, fungi and lichens of the Italian flora are presented. It includes new records and confirmations for the bryophyte genera Bryum, Cryphaea, Didymodon, and Grimmia; the fungal genera Bryostigma, Cercidospora, Conocybe, Cortinarius, Endococcus, Inocybe, Psathyrella, and Sphaerellothecium; the lichen genera Agonimia, Anisomeridium, Bilimbia, Diplotomma, Gyalecta, Huneckia, Lecidella, Lempholemma, Myriolecis, Nephroma, Pannaria, Pycnothelia, Pyrrhospora, Rinodina, Stereocaulon, Thalloidima, Trapelia, Usnea, Variospora, and Verrucaria

Air pollution in Slovakia (Central Europe): a story told by lichens (1960–2020)

Researches and applied lichenological studies carried out in Slovakia were reviewed, with reference to the period 1960–2020. Field studies and reviews devoted to the causal relation between environmental pollution and lichens are presented, encompassing the use of biodiversity and bioaccumulation techniques as well as ecophysiological parameters in native and transplanted lichens. The review includes pioneering up to recent monitoring studies of air pollution effects in urban and industrial areas, monitoring changes in species distribution between the nineteenth and twentieth centuries due to atmospheric pollution and habitat alteration, the retreat of sensitive species (with a focus on Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.), as well as recent regional and large-scale biomonitoring in forests. Beside urban pollution, the topics cover copper and mining activities, mercury pollution, magnesite and aluminium production, steel and cement industry. Finally, also indoor biomonitoring has been considered

Nowe dane o porostach z gór Bukowskie vrchy (Słowacja Północno - Wschodnia)

interesting findings of 100 lichens from the Bukovské vrchy Mts (Biosphere Reserve Poloniny, Slovak part) are reported as the result of recent survey work. two species are new for Slovakia: Fellhanera gyrophoricaandRinodina efflorescens, and 34 species are reported for the first time from the studied area. the new records for the country are shortly commented as well as ecological aspects of Agonimia repleta, Strigula stigmatella, Gyalecta ulmiandBelonia herculina.W pracy przedstawiono 100 gatunków porostów z gór Bukovské vrchy, słowackiej części międzynarodowego, polsko-słowacko-ukraińskiego rezerwatu biosfery „karpaty Wschodnie”, znanej jako Park narodowy Połoniny. Spośród prezentowanych porostów 34 gatunki są publikowane po raz pierwszy z badanego obszaru (!); dwa z nich: Fellhanera gyrophoricai Rinodina efflorescensto jednocześnie taksony nowe dla Słowacji (!!). dla pozostałych 66 gatunków podano nowe stanowiska. na uwagę zasługują nowe dane ekologiczne odnoszące się do gatunków uważanych za obligatoryjne epifity, mianowicie Agonimia repleta (tylko okazjonalnie na gliniastej glebie) i Strigula stigmatellarosną tutaj na otoczakach piaskowcowych, a Gyalecta ulmi– na obumarłych mszakach zasiedlających piaskowcowe bloki skalne

Freezing of air-dried samples of the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. ensures that thalli remain healthy for later physiological measurements

We tested whether freezing of air-dried lichen thalli alter physiological parameters commonly used as valuable stress markers in laboratory and field ecophysiological studies, namely integrity of cell membranes (measured as electrolyte leakage), assimilation pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a+b, total carotenoids content), chlorophyll integrity (OD435/OD415) and chlorophyll a fluorescence emission (expressed as FV/FM, the potential quantum yield of primary photochemistry and PIABS, a global indicator of the photosynthetic performance). Thalli of the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. were air-dried, stored in the freezer at ca. -18°C under dark conditions and analysed after short-term storage (15, 30 and 90 days). These periods are compatible with the needs of a relatively rapid data evaluation in biomonitoring studies. After freezing, the investigated parameters showed that lichens remained healthy and suitable for later physiological measurements without biasing data quality

Retaining unlogged patches in Mediterranean oak forests may preserve threatened forest macrolichens

Forest management practices may heavily impact epiphytic (tree inhabiting) organisms. Retaining tree patches and buffer strips in logged stands may contribute to preserve ecosystem functioning and the vitality of epiphytic organisms in managed forests. To test these statements, the threatened forest macrolichen Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. was used as a model species, since it is a “flag” indicator species of forest ecosystems with long ecological continuity. To this purpose, photosynthetic performances, thallus anatomy and water holding capacity (WHC) of samples of L. pulmonaria were investigated in a logged mixed oak forest (Tuscany, Italy), confronting lichen thalli from retained- forest patches and retained-isolated trees, 18 months after logging. Compared with those of retained-forest patches, thalli on the trunks of retained- isolated trees were thinner and showed lower vitality (as indicated by the potential quantum yield of primary photochemistry – FV/FM and the index of overall photosynthetic performance – PIABS), as well as lower water holding capacity. In contrast, thalli from forest patches had performances comparable to those of healthy samples from unlogged forests

Does air pollution influence the success of species translocation? Trace elements, ultrastructure and photosynthetic performances in transplants of a threatened forest macrolichen

Species translocation can be considered as a primary conservation strategy with reference to in situ conservation. In the case of lichens, translocations often risk to fail due stress factors associated with unsuitable receptor sites. Considering the bioecological characteristics of lichens, air pollution is among the most limiting stress factors. In this study, the forest macrolichen Lobaria pulmonaria was used as a model to test the hypothesis that the translocation of sensitive lichens is effective only in unpolluted environments. At purpose, 500 fragments or whole thalli were translocated in selected beech forests of Central Europe (the Western Carpathians, Slovakia) where the species disappeared in the past and in oak forests of Southern Europe (Tuscany, Central Italy) where native populations are present. Prior to the translocation (May 2016) and after one year, morphological and ultrastructural features, trace elements as well as chlorophyll a fluorescence emission were analysed. Four years later, the effectiveness of lichen translocation was further evaluated as presence of the transplants and of newly formed individuals. After one year, the translocation ensured an effective survival of the thalli in remote oak and beech forests characterized by a negligible or low contamination by heavy metals. The transplants were considered successful and developed new lobules and rhizines, attaching by themselves to the bark of the host trees, looking overall healthy, without evident signs of alteration also at ultrastructural level. Moreover, in a few cases newly formed individuals were observed after four years. On the other hand, the results highlighted the link between the unsuccess of the translocation and air pollution in other areas of the Western Carpathians and suggested that current air quality still limits the possibility of recolonization in areas where the model species disappeared