FUNGI AND LICHENS IN THE BALTICS AND BEYOND XVIII ...

wooden crosses (11). According to light requirement on anthropogenic substrates, most
numerous are species, whose ecological amplitudes vary from averagely photophilous to
extraphotophilous. These species accounted for 47 % of all taxa diagnosed in cemetery.
During the research three indifferent to light requirement lichen species were identified:
Lecanora albescens, Lecanora pulicaris, Caloplaca citrina. According to dependence on air
humidity in cemetery dominate mesophilous species, and to a lesser extent – xerophilous
lichens. Extraxerophilous indexes are characterized to Physconia perisidiosa and Physconia
grisea species. During the research extrahigrophilous species were not found on
anthropogenic substrates. According to eutrophication level averagely nitrophilous species are
most numerous (50 % of all species). 2 rather rare, 4 rather common, 7 common and 21 very
common lichen species were identified on anthropogenic substrates in Bernardinai cemetery.
Two species from the rather rare category were reported – Aspicilia contorta ssp.
hoffmanniana and Scoliciosporum umbrinum. It is planned to further study diversity of
lichens of same age cemeteries in different parts of Lithuania.
LICHENS OF CALCAREOUS ROCKS IN FINLAND
J. PYKÄLÄ
Finnish Environment Institute, Natural Environment Centre, P. O. Box 140, FI-00251
Helsinki, Finland
E-mail: juha.pykala@ymparisto.fi
Calcareous rocks are threatened habitat types in Finland. The main threats are mining,
building and forestry practices. Most calcareous rocks are very small, and thus vulnerable to
changes in land use close to them. Lichens of calcareous rocks have been previously
insufficiently known, although many rare species are known to occur only on calcareous
rocks.
During the years 2003–2008 120 calcareous rocks and lime quarries were studied in
SW Finland. During the years 2009–2010 the study was expanded to cover all parts of
Finland and additional 175 sites have been studied. The field work is continuing in 2011.
The main aims are to study distribution and habitat characteristics of lichens of
calcareous rocks and lime quarries in Finland, and to produce data for a more precise
evaluation of their threat status. The results can be used to evaluate conservation and
management needs of calcareous rocks and lime quarries and to develop management
instructions for them.
Over 13 000 specimens have been collected and up to date 137 lichens new to Finland
have been found. The total number of calcicolous lichens is ca. 280 species, which is 16 % of
all lichens occurring in Finland. The proportion of lichen species on calcareous rocks is more
than 100-fold compared to the area of calcareous rocks.
New localities have been found for most threatened lichens of calcareous rocks (e.g.
Collema multipartitum, Nephroma helveticum, Peltigera retifoveata). Five species considered
extinct from Finland have been refound (Caloplaca variabilis, Catapyrenium psoromoides,
Coenogonium luteum, Gyalecta subclausa, Rinodina immersa). Numerous species of
Verrucaria occur on calcareous rocks. 60 species new to Finland have been identified.
However, a large number of species still remains unidentified.
A strong south-north gradient occurs in the lichen flora of calcareous rocks. Many
species occur only in southern or northern part of Finland. Many lichens on calcareous rocks
are very rare. Small populations are typical to many species.
Lime quarries are very important for many calcicolous lichens due to their large size.
Several rare pioneer calcicolous lichens disperse rather effectively to lime quarries.