Message - 7th IAL Symposium
Message - 7th IAL Symposium
Message - 7th IAL Symposium
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3B-2-P<br />
Lichen: from genome to ecosystem in a changing world<br />
(3B-2-P12) Submission ID: <strong>IAL</strong>0213-00001<br />
LICHEN COMMUNITIES ON TSUGA HETEROPHYLLA IN COLD RAINFORESTS:<br />
WHAT DRIVES COMPOSITION AND RICHNESS?<br />
Taurer S. 1 , Wagner V. 2 , Hauck M. 3 , Spribille T. 4<br />
1 University of Graz, Institute of Plant Sciences Graz, Graz, Austria<br />
2 College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States<br />
3 Abteilung Pflanzenoekologie und Oekosystemforschung, University of Goettingen, Goettingen, Germany<br />
4 Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT, United States<br />
Epiphytic lichen communities in southeast Alaska are known to be among the richest of any high latitude,<br />
conifer-dominated region in the world. However, little is known of the local gradients that cause some lichen<br />
communities to be especially rich and others poor, and what causes local spikes in richness of cyanolichens.<br />
Understanding species distribution and richness concentration patterns is important since lichens are used for air<br />
quality and forest health monitoring. Epiphytic crust lichens were studied on 114 branches of Tsuga heterophylla<br />
trees at 19 different localities in low elevation boreal rainforests in the vicinity of Juneau, Alaska. Branches of<br />
equal cut-point diameter and controlled for overall collective twig mass were taken from different heights above<br />
the ground and in different light exposure situations with replication, and substrate element chemistry was determined<br />
by spectrometric analysis. Species richness was significantly correlated with a nutrient gradient (N<br />
content and C/N ratio as well as Zn content). A principal components analysis of species composition against<br />
quantified environmental gradients revealed a gradient between cyanolichen-dominated branches and those<br />
dominated by chlorolichens. This gradient was likewise primarily explained by the C/N ratio as well as tree and<br />
branch age and significant gradients in the content of Zn and other metals and cations. The results reinforce the<br />
importance of nutrient regimes and forest age structure in determining composition but suggest that cation gradients<br />
(such as Ca, Mg) ascribed importance for local enrichment of cyanolichen communities in inland regions<br />
may not explain as much variability in cold coastal rainforests.<br />
(3B-2-P13) Submission ID: <strong>IAL</strong>0284-00001<br />
MICROLICHEN COMMUNITY STRUCTURE AS A WAY TO COMPREHEND TROPICAL DRY<br />
FOREST REGENERATION<br />
Miranda-González R. 1 , Lücking R. 2 , Mora- Ardila F. 3 , Barcenas-Peña A. 1 , Herrera- Campos M. A. 1<br />
1 Botany, Posgrado en Ciencias Biológicas Instituto de Biología, UNAM, Mexico City, Mexico<br />
2 Botany, Field Museum, Chicago, United States<br />
3 Botany, Centro de Investigaciones en Ecosistemas (CIEco), UNAM, Morelia, Mexico<br />
The tropical dry forest is the most extensive ecosystem in the neotropics, and at the same time, one of<br />
the most endangered ones in the world. As a result, some studies aim to understand its regenerating process.<br />
The objective of this project was to comprehend the importance that lichen communities have in the succession<br />
process. For this, we analyzed the microlichen species cover in 204 trees at 4 levels of disturbance, ranging from<br />
6 years after agricultural use to pristine areas, all on the Mexican Pacific coast. We found more than 120 lichen<br />
species. The best represented families were Arthoniaceae, Pyrenulaceae, Roccellaceae and Graphidaceae. Our<br />
analysis suggest that the lichen cover and richness recovers faster than expected, been the 18 years old forest<br />
statistically equal to the pristine areas. Nonetheless, the lichen community structure was completely different.<br />
Using an ordination analysis (NMS) we were able to distinguish the mature forest from all the levels of disturbance.<br />
We also found some lichens that can be used as indicators species of disturbance or conserved areas,<br />
mainly in the genera Pyrenula and Arthonia, as well as several new species. Using multivariate methods we<br />
analyzed the preference of species groups to some microenvironmental factors such as relative light intensity,<br />
phorophyte specificity and pH. Lastly we discuss the application of our results in conservation issues.<br />
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