Hostname: page-component-7c8c6479df-ph5wq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-03-17T11:14:49.427Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

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

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 January 2013

Liis MARMOR
Affiliation:
University of Tartu, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Lai Street 40, Tartu 51005, Estonia. Email: marmor@ut.ee
Tiiu TÕRRA
Affiliation:
University of Tartu, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Lai Street 40, Tartu 51005, Estonia. Email: marmor@ut.ee
Lauri SAAG
Affiliation:
University of Tartu, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Lai Street 40, Tartu 51005, Estonia. Email: marmor@ut.ee Estonian Biocentre, Riia 23b, Tartu 51010, Estonia
Ede LEPPIK
Affiliation:
University of Tartu, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Lai Street 40, Tartu 51005, Estonia. Email: marmor@ut.ee
Tiina RANDLANE
Affiliation:
University of Tartu, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, Lai Street 40, Tartu 51005, Estonia. Email: marmor@ut.ee

Abstract

The 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.

Type
Articles
Copyright
Copyright © British Lichen Society 2013

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Ahti, T., Hämet-Ahti, L. & Jalas, J. (1968) Vegetation zones and their sections in northwestern Europe. Annales Botanici Fennici 5: 169211.Google Scholar
Campbell, J. & Coxson, D. S. (2001) Canopy microclimate and arboreal lichen loading in subalpine spruce-fir forest. Canadian Journal of Botany 79: 537555.Google Scholar
Caruso, A. & Thor, G. (2007) Importance of different tree fractions for epiphytic lichen diversity on Picea abies and Populus tremula in mature managed boreonemoral Swedish forests. Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research 22: 219230.Google Scholar
Coppins, A. M. & Coppins, B. J. (2002) Indices of Ecological Continuity for Woodland Epiphytic Lichen Habitats in the British Isles. London: British Lichen Society.Google Scholar
eElurikkus (Database of Estonian Biodiversity). http://elurikkus.ut.ee.Google Scholar
Ellyson, W. J. T. & Sillet, S. C. (2003) Epiphyte communities on Sitka spruce in an old-growth redwood forest. Bryology and Lichenology 106: 197211.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
EMHI (Estonian Meterological and Hydrological Institute). http://www.emhi.ee.Google Scholar
eSamba (Database of Estonian Lichens). http://www.eseis.ut.ee.Google Scholar
Fritz, Ö. (2009) Vertical distribution of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens emphasizes the importance of old beeches in conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation 18: 289304.Google Scholar
Fritz, Ö., Gustafsson, L. & Larsson, K. (2008) Does forest continuity matter in conservation? – A study of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes in beech forests of southern Sweden. Biological Conservation 141: 655668.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Fritz, Ö., Niklasson, M. & Churski, M. (2009) Tree age is a key factor for the conservation of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes in beech forests. Applied Vegetation Science 12: 93106.Google Scholar
Gauslaa, Y., Lie, M. & Ohlson, M. (2008) Epiphytic lichen biomass in a boreal Norway spruce forest. Lichenologist 40: 257266.Google Scholar
Gross, G. (1993) Numerical Simulation of Canopy Flows. Berlin: Springer.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Holien, H. (1997) The lichen flora on Picea abies in a suboceanic spruce forest area in Central Norway with emphasis on the relationship to site and stand parameters. Nordic Journal of Botany 17: 5576.Google Scholar
Jarman, S. J. & Kantvilas, G. (1995) Epiphytes on an old Huon pine tree (Lagarostrobos franklinii) in Tasmanian rainforest. New Zealand Journal of Botany 33: 6578.Google Scholar
Josefsson, T., Hellberg, E. & Östlund, L. (2005) Influence of habitat history on the distribution of Usnea longissima in boreal Scandinavia: a methodological case study. Lichenologist 37: 555567.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jüriado, I., Paal, J. & Liira, J. (2003) Epiphytic and epixylic lichen species diversity in Estonian natural forests. Biodiversity and Conservation 12: 15871607.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kermit, T. & Gauslaa, Y. (2001) The vertical gradient of bark pH of twigs and macrolichens in a Picea abies canopy not affected by acid rain. Lichenologist 33: 353359.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Laasimer, L. & Masing, V. (1995). Taimestik ja taimkate [Flora and plant cover]. In Eesti Loodus [Estonian Nature] (Raukas, A., ed.): 364401. Tallinn: Valgus & Eesti Entsüklopeediakirjastus.Google Scholar
Lie, M. H., Arup, U., Grytnes, J.-A. & Ohlson, M. (2009) The importance of host tree age, size and growth rate as determinants of epiphytic lichen diversity in boreal spruce forests. Biodiversity and Conservation 18: 35793596.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marmor, L., Tõrra, T. & Randlane, T. (2010) The vertical gradient of bark pH and epiphytic macrolichen biota in relation to alkaline air pollution. Ecological Indicators 6: 11371143.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Marmor, L., Tõrra, T., Saag, L. & Randlane, T. (2011) Effects of forest continuity and tree age on epiphytic lichen biota in coniferous forests in Estonia. Ecological Indicators 11: 12701276.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCune, B. (1993) Gradients in epiphyte biomass in three Pseudotsuga-Tsuga forests of different ages in Western Oregon and Washington. Bryologist 96: 405411.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McCune, B., Rosentreter, R., Ponzetti, J. M. & Shaw, D. C. (2000) Epiphyte habitats in an old conifer forest in Western Washington, U.S.A. Bryologist 103: 417427.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nascimbene, J., Marini, L., Motta, R. & Nimis, P. L. (2009) Influence of tree age, tree size and crown structure on lichen communities in mature Alpine spruce forests. Biodiversity and Conservation 18: 15091522.Google Scholar
Orange, A., James, P. W. & White, F. J. (2001) Microchemical Methods for the Identification of Lichens. London: British Lichen Society.Google Scholar
Randlane, T., Jüriado, I., Suija, A., Lõhmus, P. & Leppik, E. (2008) Lichens in the new Red List of Estonia. Folia Cryptogamica Estonica 44: 113120.Google Scholar
Randlane, T., Saag, A. & Suija, A. (2011) Lichenized, lichenicolous and allied fungi of Estonia. Ver. November 1, 2011. http://esamba.bo.bg.ut.ee/checklist/est/home.php.Google Scholar
Ranius, T., Johansson, P., Berg, N. & Niklasson, M. (2008) The influence of tree age and microhabitat quality on the occurrence of crustose lichens associated with old oaks. Journal of Vegetation Science 19: 653662.Google Scholar
Rosso, A. L., McCune, B. & Rambo, T. R. (2000) Ecology and conservation of a rare, old-growth-associated canopy lichen in a silvicultural landscape. Bryologist 103: 117127.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sillet, S. C. & Antoine, M. E. (2004) Lichens and bryophytes in forest canopies. In Forest Canopies (Lowman, M. D. & Rinker, H. B., eds): 151174. Amsterdam: Elsevier.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, C. B. & Sillett, S. C. (2007) Epiphyte communities on redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) in northwestern California. Bryologist 110: 420452.Google Scholar