Plant Ecology and Evolution 149(1): 92-100, doi: 10.5091/plecevo.2016.1117
Characterization of the epiphytic lichen vegetation in a riparian forest in southern Brazil
Márcia I. Käffer, Renata V. Dantas, Suzana M. de A. Martins© Botanic Garden Meise and Royal Botanical Society of Belgium. all rights reserved Citation:
Käffer MI, Dantas RV, Martins SMA (2016) Characterization of the epiphytic lichen vegetation in a riparian forest in southern Brazil. Plant Ecology and Evolution 149(1): 92-100. https://doi.org/10.5091/plecevo.2016.1117 |  |
Abstract
Background and objectives – Changes in forest landscapes and management practices strongly influence biodiversity. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the lichen community structure considering species diversity parameters, such as: richness, cover, diversity and average thallus size, at different forest stands in the Environmental Protection Area (EPA) of Ibirapuitã, Brazil.
Methods – The lichens were analyzed in relation to their position on the tree trunks and the possible correlation with some environmental factors was studied. The data was analyzed by calculating the lichen diversity value (LDV) and a Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) was used in order to evaluate the relationships between the lichen communities and the environmental variables through the use of correlation analyses.
Key results – A total of 193 lichen species were registered. Significant differences have been registered regarding the coverage and average size of lichen thalli between the two trunk sides (N and S), while for the LDV values, these differences occurred in the sampled forest areas. The CCA showed that some environmental variables had influence on the lichen community. Heterodermia obscurata, Crespoa carneopruinata and Physcia atrostriata showed high frequency in forest areas.
Conclusion – Riparian forest preservation and the management of the Environmental Protection Area are essential for lichen community conservation, maintenance of the ecosystem balance, lichen establishment and dispersion.
Methods – The lichens were analyzed in relation to their position on the tree trunks and the possible correlation with some environmental factors was studied. The data was analyzed by calculating the lichen diversity value (LDV) and a Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) was used in order to evaluate the relationships between the lichen communities and the environmental variables through the use of correlation analyses.
Key results – A total of 193 lichen species were registered. Significant differences have been registered regarding the coverage and average size of lichen thalli between the two trunk sides (N and S), while for the LDV values, these differences occurred in the sampled forest areas. The CCA showed that some environmental variables had influence on the lichen community. Heterodermia obscurata, Crespoa carneopruinata and Physcia atrostriata showed high frequency in forest areas.
Conclusion – Riparian forest preservation and the management of the Environmental Protection Area are essential for lichen community conservation, maintenance of the ecosystem balance, lichen establishment and dispersion.
Keywords
BIODIVERSITY; CORTICOLOUS; LICHEN DIVERSITY VALUE (LDV); PAMPA BIOME; VERTICAL DISTRIBUTION