Transplantation experiments with Neckera pennata and Lobaria pulmonaria in nemoral woodland key habitat and managed forest

Transplantation experiments with Neckera pennata and Lobaria pulmonaria were conducted in nemoral Woodland Key Habitat and managed forest (in total 38 trees) in Latvia. Elastic cotton bandage was the best method for the present transplantation experiments. Dispersal and establishment limitation were found to be crucial for N. pennata and L. pulmonaria distribution between forest stands.

The main drivers for the occurrence of six red-listed epiphytic bryophytes and lichens in the boreo-nemoral forest landscape, Latvia

Forest landscape plays a significant role in rare cryptogam distribution. However, data about the environmental demands of rare epiphytic bryophytes and lichens in boreo-nemoral forest landscapes are not complete. In this study, we focused on finding the main environmental predictors influencing the occurrence of three red-listed epiphytic bryophytes and three red-listed epiphytic lichens in the Latvian boreo-nemoral forest landscape. We obtained the records of species from the Natural Data Management System OZOLS database, which is a national information system on all rare taxa. We analyzed the occurrence of species in relation to forest stand age and area, forest type, heterogeneity and tree bark pH class. We found that selected red-listed bryophyte and lichen occurrence was mainly influenced by forest stand age and area. However, each of the red-listed epiphytic bryophyte and lichen has their own ecological demands in the boreo-nemoral landscape

Epifītisko sūnu un ķērpju ekoloģija lapu koku mežos Latvijā

Elektroniskā versija nesatur pielikumusPētījuma mērķis ir sagatavot pārskatu par epifītisko sūnu un ėērpju floru, kā arī raksturot svarīgākos epifītisko sūnu un ķērpju ekoloģiskos aspektus lapu koku mežos Latvijā. Pētījuma uzdevumi: 1) novērtēt epifītisko sūnu un ķērpju sugu izplatību sausos lapu koku mežos Latvijā, 2) raksturot vides faktoru lomu koka un mežaudzes mērogā epifītisko sūnu un ķērpju izplatībā, 3) ar transplantācijas eksperimentiem novērtēt Neckera pennata un Lobaria pulmonaria izplatīšanās prasības. Koka suga, meža tips un platība novērtēti kā vieni no svarīgākajiem faktoriem epifītu izplatībā. Mikroklimatiskie apstākļi ir būtiski Neckera pennata izplatībā, bet izplatīšanās ierobežojumi ietekmē Lobaria pulmonaria. Promocijas darbs sastāv no Annotation, Anotācija, Introduction, Literature, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Main thesis, Acknowledgements, References, Appendix.The aim of PhD Thesis is to give an overview of the epiphytic bryophyte and lichen flora and main ecological characters in Latvian dry deciduous forests. The following objectives were: 1) evaluate the distribution of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens in Latvian dry deciduous forests, 2) find out the role of tree and forest stand level variables affecting epiphytic bryophyte and lichen species distribution, 3) evaluate dispersal demands of Neckera pennata and Lobaria pulmonaria with transplantation experiment. Tree species, forest type and area were important in epiphytic species distribution. Microclimatical demands are significant for the dispersal of Neckera pennata, but dispersal ability is significant for Lobaria pulmonaria. The PhD Thesis consist of Annotation, Anotācija, Introduction, Literature, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Main thesis, Acknowledgements, References, Appendix

Evaluation and long-term conservation perspectives of woodland key habitat bryophyte and lichen indicators in Latgale

Nowadays human impact to habitats and species are stronger then ever before. Latvia is typical example of fragmented landscape, where forest patches are mixed with agricultural land and waterbodies. Latgale is one of typical such a fragmented landscape parts of Latvia. Around 6.41 % of Latgalian forests were evaluated as Woodland Key Habitats (WKHs) or potential WKHs (P)WKHs  after WKH inventory. In total 16 WKH types, suitable for bryophyte and lichen indicator species existence were identified in Latgale. (P)WKH type, forest stand age and area were significant factors influencing bryophyte and lichen specialist and indicator species richness in forest stand level. WKH status did not provide any official conservation status for habitats or species based on current legislation in Latvia. Therefore establishment of conservation areas as microreserves for habitats and species and Nature Reserves in areas, with high (P)WKH density is an effective tool for their long-term conservation in Latgale. Further scientific studies of bryophytes, lichens and WKHs are necessary for planning the best conservation scenarios taking into account also forest ecosystem services.   

ASSESSMENT OF RARE EPIPHYTIC LIVERWORT TRANSPLANTATION METHOD IN POPULUS TREMULA FOREST

Epiphytic bryophytes are important biodiversity elements in forest ecosystems globally. In addition, bryophytes take part in ecosystem functioning and are excellent environmental indicators. Almost half of the red-listed bryophyte distribution in Latvia is related to forest habitats. However, despite the increasing knowledge about epiphyte ecology, we are lacking information about individual rare species environmental demands. The present study aimed to evaluate the transplant disc method in rare liverwort transplantation success in aspen forest. As a result, we found that the transplant disc method can be used in epiphytic liverwort studies, but improvements are recommended in sealant selection for transplantation. Liverwort transplants were sensitive to changed substrate quality. Although transplant physiological stress during the transplantation experiment could be important. Epiphyte transplantation studies could help to test epiphyte sensitivity to global climate change in the future

New records of lichens and lichenicolous fungi from the Southern Ural Mountains, Russia. II

Fifty five species of lichens and lichenicolous fungi are reported from the Southern Ural (Republic of Bashkortostan and Chelyabinsk Region). Graphis betulina, Micarea micrococca, and Ramonia chrysophaea are reported for the first time in Russia. Abrothallus microspermus, Arthopyrenia grisea, Biatora pontica, Collema ligerinum, Puttea margaritella, Rinodina granulans, Rinodina malangica, Syzygospora physciacearum and Xylographa trunciseda are new to Ural Region. Calicium glaucellum, Chaenotheca gracillima, Microcalicium disseminatum, Parmeliella triptophylla, Ramalina obtusata and Sphaerellothecium reticulatum are new to Southern Ural. 21 species are new to the Republic of Bashkortostan and the Chelyabinsk Region, and 50 species are reported for the first time from the protected areas of the Southern Ural. Brief comments on the most interesting species and their ecology (habitat and substrate preferences) and chorology are given.

Preferences of epiphytic bryophytes for forest stand and substrate in North-East Latvia

Distribution of epiphytic bryophyte species was studied in Woodland Key Habitats (WKH) and in managed forest stands in the North-East Latvia (district Gulbene). In total, 32 epiphytic bryophyte species were found in six WKH stands. Five endangered/threatened bryophyte species (Anomodon longifolius, Homalia trichomanoides, Jamesoniella autumnalis, Lejeunea cavifolia, Neckera pennata), that are listed in the Red Data Book of Latvia were recorded. The relation between the total and endangered/threatened epiphytic bryophyte species richness and composition with substrate factors (phorophyte species, diameter at breast height (DBH), shading, and tree bark pH) was studied. The most important factors regarding epiphytic bryophyte species cover, composition and richness were found to be tree species, DBH, bark pH and forest shading. WKH indicator species richness showed significant relationship only with tree species. Tree species was one of the most important factors explaining epiphytic species distribution

Epiphytic bryophytes in old growth forests of slopes, screes and ravines in north-west Latvia

Abstract Little is known about the ecology of epiphytic bryophytes in broad-leaved forests of slopes, screes and ravines. Factors determining the epiphytic bryophyte distribution in such forests were investigated. In total 45 epiphytic bryophyte species were found (12 of them were signal species, including three specially protected species in Latvia -Antitrichia curtipendula, Neckera crispa and Plagiothecium latebricola). Th e total number of bryophyte and number of signal species were higher on tree species with relatively basic bark pH (Acer platanoides, Ulmus glabra, Fraxinus excelsior, Populus tremula, Sorbus aucuparia, Tilia cordata, Salix sp.), but lower on tree species with acidic bark ( Salix sp.), but lower on tree species with acidic bark ( Salix Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Picea abies). Tree diameter, age and distance from tree to top of slope were not related to epiphytic bryophyte distribution. Th e highest bryophyte species richness (including signal species) was found up to a 0.5-m height on the southern exposure of trees and on the upper side of inclined trees (on south exposure of trees on north facing slopes, and on east exposure of trees -on west facing slopes)

Epiphyll specialization for leaf and forest successional stages in a tropical lowland rainforest

Questions: The importance of tropical rainforest gap dynamics in biodiversity maintenance is not fully understood, in particular for taxa other than trees and lianas. We used epiphylls on rainforest leaves to study the importance of leaf- and forest-scale succession in determining biodiversity patterns by characterizing community change with leaf age in gaps and closed-forest habitats. We asked: 1. Do epiphylls show specialization for leaf and forest successional stages? 2. Can early and late-successional epiphyllous species be recognized at these two scales? 3. How do epiphyll presence, species richness, and cover change with leaf and forest successional stages? Location: Barro Colorado Island, Panama. Methods: Data were collected from 420 leaves, in three age groups and at two heights on shrubs in gaps and closed forest. We calculated turnover and nestedness components of dissimilarity to evaluate the importance of species replacement or accumulation during leaf and forest succession. Using generalized linear mixed models we determined what factors explain epiphyll species occurrence, richness and cover. Results: Closed forest contained more liverwort and lichen specialist species than gaps. Specialist species were identified for older leaves only. Dissimilarity between leaves within age groups was dominated by turnover within and between forest successional stages. Dissimilarity between leaf age groups, at the site level, was dominated by nestedness, i.e. species accumulation. Both in forest and gaps, epiphyll presence and cover increased with leaf age for all taxa except fungi, while species richness increased only for lichens. Conclusions: Early and late forest successional stages both contribute to epiphyll species richness by harboring specialized species. Among leaf successional stages, young leaves contain a mere subset of the species found on older leaves. Epiphyll communities do not follow classic succession, in the sense of changes being driven by species replacement, but are characterized by species accumulation through time

Epiphytic bryophyte and lichen ecology in Latvian deciduous forests

Kopsavilkums P ētījuma mērėis ir sagatavot pārskatu par epifītisko sūnu un ėērpju floru, kā arī raksturot svarīgākos epifītisko sūnu un ėērpju ekoloăiskos aspektus lapu koku mežos Latvijā. Pētījuma uzdevumi: 1) novērtēt epifītisko sūnu un ėērpju sugu izplatību sausos lapu koku mežos Latvijā, 2) raksturot vides faktoru lomu koka un mežaudzes mērogā epifītisko sūnu un ėērpju izplatībā, 3) ar transplantācijas eksperimentiem novērtēt Neckera pennata un Lobaria pulmonaria izplatīšanās prasības. Koka suga, meža tips un platība novērtēti kā vieni no svarīgākajiem faktoriem epifītu izplatībā. Mikroklimatiskie apstākĜi ir būtiski Neckera pennata izplatībā, bet izplatīšanās ierobežojumi ietekmē Lobaria pulmonaria. Promocijas darbs sastāv no Annotation, Anotācija, Introduction, Literature, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Main thesis, Acknowledgements, References, Appendix.Summary The aim of PhD Thesis is to give an overview of the epiphytic bryophyte and lichen flora and main ecological characters in Latvian dry deciduous forests. The following objectives were: 1) evaluate the distribution of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens in Latvian dry deciduous forests, 2) find out the role of tree and forest stand level variables affecting epiphytic bryophyte and lichen species distribution, 3) evaluate dispersal demands of Neckera pennata and Lobaria pulmonaria with transplantation experiment. Tree species, forest type and area were important in epiphytic species distribution. Microclimatical demands are significant for the dispersal of Neckera pennata, but dispersal ability is significant for Lobaria pulmonaria. The PhD Thesis consist of Annotation, Anotācija, Introduction, Literature, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusions, Main thesis, Acknowledgements, References, Appendix