Message - 7th IAL Symposium

The 7 th International Association for Lichenology Symposium 2012
(2B-P3) Submission ID: IAL0181-00001
DIVERSITY OF LICHENS ALONG THE ELEVATION GRADIENT
AT KHAO YAI NATIONAL PARK, THAILAND
Senglek S. 1 , Polyiam W. 1 , Boonpragob K. 1
1 Biology, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand
Environmental factors on mountain slopes influence the diversity and distribution of lichens. The aim
of this study was to observe the influences of environment along a mountain slope, spanning between 100 and
1,200 m, on the diversity and distribution of lichens at Khao Yai National Park. The investigation was carried
out by placing 50x10 cm quadrates on all trees with bole diameter at breast height (DBH) 4.5 cm at 130 cm
above the ground in 4x4 m plots. The elevation, bark pH, the diversity and dominant of host plants, soil pH,
soil moisture, organic and inorganic matters in the soil were measured at every 100 m in elevation. Observed
were 141 lichen thalli from 75 species, of which crustose thalli were overwhelmingly dominant. Since most of
these were sterile, the genera and species could not be ascertained. However, taxa were assigned by reference
to the prominent characteristics of these lichens. The five highest important value index (IVI) were noted
from Thelotrema colobicum, Ocellularia sp.2, Sterile soredia 6, Sterile non-propagule 4 and Sterile soredia 1,
accounted 15.04, 12.13, 11.81, 10.80 and 10.25, respectively. Shannon’s diversity index (SDI) demonstrated
that the highest and subsequently lower distribution occurred at elevations 700, 1,000 and 1,200 m at the respective
values of 3.05, 2.99 and 2.48. The ordination of axis 1 and axis 2 exhibited eigenvalues at 0.952 and
0.844 with a variation of 12.6 percent in the first axis. Lichen diversity was influenced by elevation, canopy cover,
and the species richness of the host trees.
(2B-P4) Submission ID: IAL0040-00005
SUCCESSION OF LICHENS ON SUBSTRATES IN TROPICAL FORESTS IN THAILAND
Polyiam W. 1 , Seeiam D. 1 , Phokaeo S. 1 , Boonpragob K. 1
1 Biology, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand
It is well recognized lichens are pioneer species on both natural and artificial substrates. The objective
of this study was to observe the establishment and growth of lichens on artificial substrates in various types of
tropical forest. The study was conducted by installing four types of substrate shading net, transparent sheets,
glass bottles and terra-cotta in four different types of tropical forest at Khao Yai National Park. Lichens established
onto these substrates were subsequently photographed and identified during nine years of observation.
After three years, eight taxa of the pioneer lichens were recognized. The thalli and reproductive structures of
these lichens were virtually invisible. After five years, sixteen taxa were recognized, of which few of them had
apparent reproductive structures. After nine years, many of the lichens produced fruiting bodies allowing for the
identification of the genera and the species. Forty-two taxa from twenty genera were identified, including the
foliicolous taxa of Porina spp., Mazosia spp., Byssoloma spp. and Coenogonium spp. The only abundant foliose
thalli were Bulbothrix isidiza. The number of taxa was highest and sequentially lower on shading net, glass
bottles, transparent sheets and terra-cotta at 20, 16, 13 and 7 respectively. The lower montane forest supported
the highest number of taxa, and subsequently lower numbers were observed under tropical rain forest, mixeddeciduous
forest and secondary forest at 24, 11, 11 and 8 taxa, respectively. This investigation is on-going in
order to elucidate long-term influence of environmental factors on the succession of lichen in the tropical ecosystems.
115
2B-P