1,721,056 research outputs found
Testing Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. as an indicator of lichen conservation importance of Italian forests
No full textIn Italy, many lichen species rare at the national level share their ecological requirements with Lobaria pulmonaria. The aim of this work is to test this lichen as a potential indicator for assessing forest sites which are worthy of conservation for lichens in Italy. The hypothesis to be tested is that stands hosting large and viable populations of this lichen also host nationally rare and sensitive lichen species. The study was carried out in two large forested areas of Italy under different bioclimatic conditions and with different forest types: Cansiglio Forest, in NE Italy, and Cilento in SW Italy. Three types of stands characterized by different abundance levels of L. pulmonaria were identified in each site. Ten plots for each type of stand were surveyed in each site. Macrolichens were surveyed on a total of 180 trees. The abundance of L. pulmonaria proved to be a valuable indicator of forest stands hosting nationally rare lichen species and cyanolichens in different forest types and in different bioclimatic conditions. Significant differences in species richness, in the occurrence and abundance of nationally rare lichen species and cyanolichens, and in species composition were found in both sites among stands with different levels of L. pulmonaria. Results are expected to contribute to the development of more lichen-oriented criteria in nature protection policies. © 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
Can we trust iNaturalist in lichenology? Evaluating the effectiveness and reliability of artificial intelligence in lichen identification
Full text linkiNaturalist is a widely-utilized platform for data collection and sharing among non-professional volunteers and is widely employed in citizen
science. This platform’s data are also used in scientific studies for a wide range of purposes, including tracking changes in species distribution,
monitoring the spread of alien-invasive species, and assessing the impacts of urbanization and land-use change on biodiversity.
Lichens, due to their year-round presence on trees, soil and rocks, and their diverse shapes and colours, have captured the attention of
iNaturalist users, and lichen records are widely represented on the platform. However, due to the complexity of lichen identification,
the use of data collected by untrained, or poorly trained volunteers in scientific investigation poses concerns among lichenologists. To
address these concerns, this study assessed the reliability of lichen identification by iNaturalist users by comparing records on the platform
with identifications carried out by experts (experienced lichenologists) in three cities where citizen science projects were developed. Results
of this study caution against the use of unchecked data obtained from the platform in lichenology, demonstrating substantial inconsistency
between results gathered by iNaturalist users and experts
Plant diversity in old-growth woods: the case of the forest edges of the Favorita Park in Palermo (north-western Sicily, Italy)
Full text linkThis article presents the results of a study on plant diversity at different levels in residual forest stands, located in the historical Favorita Park in Palermo, Italy (established and named in 1799 by King Ferdinand IV of the House of Bourbon). These forest aspects have naturally evolved for over two centuries, under minimal conditions of anthropogenic disturbance (e.g. deforestation, fires, grazing activities, etc.). This is especially true in the area known as “Bosco Niscemi”, spread over about 8.5 hectares, in the centre of the park. Bosco Niscemi is characterized by the widespread presence of old trees, abundant necromass and litter. In this study, four different soil profiles were analysed, and classified as follows: (i) Solimovic Regosol (Arenic); ii) Eutric Arenosol (Chromic); (iii) and (iv) Skeletic Regosol (Ochric). From a phytosociological point of view, four forest communities have been identified, two of which are described as new associations (Viburno tini-Phillyreetum latifoliae ass. nova and Teucrio flavi-Phillyreetum latifoliae ass. nova). The species richness was also found to be noteworthy, with the co-occurrence of several taxa (phanerogams and cryptogams) that are of biogeographic interest or rare in Sicily, including: i) vascular flora (e.g. Viburnum tinus and Arbutus unedo, both very rare throughout the western sector of Sicily); ii) bryophytes [Cryphaea heteromalla (new record of a very rare species in Sicily) as well as Hypnum cupressiforme and Leptodon smithii, also never previously found at such low altitudes]; iii) lichens (e.g. Bacidia rosella, Gyalecta derivata, Ramalina roesleri and Waynea stoechadiana); iv) mushrooms (e.g. Eichleriella leucophaea, only known location in Italy). Based on the scientific documentation produced in this study, these woods can be reported as “old-growth forests” to be included in the “National Network” that has been recently established in Italy (Ministerial Decree of 23 June 2023). This area might serve as an ideal control for urban environmental studies, given its pristine ecological setting
Epiphytic lichen vegetation of the Cedrus atlantica forests (Morocco)
No full textIn Morocco, human influence induces actually transformation and destruction of forests. We conducted a three-year study (1998-2000) on the epiphytic lichen vegetation of the Cedrus atlantica forests of the mountain ranges of Rif and Central Atlas, comparing our findings with the syntaxonomical position of the syntaxa described in Europe and using, as reference, the epiphytic acidophilous communities of Hypogymnietea physodis Follm. 1974. Although most of the lichen species observed are common in the mountains of Europe, the Moroccan communities show substantial differences. These differences depend on climatic, ecological, and phytogeographic factors, which are strictly related to the Mediterranean character of the Cedrus atlantica forests. The specificity of the epiphytic lichen vegetation of Moroccan Cedrus atlantica forests is represented by Pseudevernio-Hypogymnietum laminisorediatae ass. nov. which replaces the Pseudevernietum furfuraceae occurring in European coniferous woods.L’activité humaine et la dégradation sont en train de transformer la végétation forestière du Maroc. Pour étudier les communautés de lichens épiphytes qui présentent encore leur structure originale, nous avons entrepris une étude sur trois ans (1998-2000) de la végétation lichénique des forêts à Cedrus atlantica du Rif et de l’Atlas central. Les données marocaines ont été comparées aux unités syntaxonomiques des forêts à Larix decidua et Pinus cembra
des montagnes européennes et, en particulier, aux communautés acidophyles épiphytiques de l’Hypogymnietea physodis Follm. 1974. Malgré une certaine similitude floristique, les communautés des lichens des cédraies marocaines diffèrent de celles des montagnes européennes : les différences dépendent surtout des facteurs climatiques, écologiques et phytogéographiques qui marquent les limites de la végétation épiphytique oroboréale avec la végétation oroméditerranéenne. La spécificité des communautés épiphytiques des cédraies du Maroc est représentée par le Pseudevernio-Hypogymnietum laminisorediatae
ass. nov., vicariante du Pseudevernietum furfuraceae des montagnes européennes.Massari Giuseppe, Ravera Sonia. Epiphytic lichen vegetation of the Cedrus atlantica forests (Morocco). In: Ecologia mediterranea, tome 28 n°2, 2002. pp. 51-57
Integrated biomonitoring of airborne pollutants over space and time using tree rings, bark, leaves and epiphytic lichens
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