Epiphytic lichen diversity and sustainable forest management criteria and indicators: A multivariate and modelling approach in coppice forests of Italy

Brunialti, Giorgio; Frati, Luisa; Calderisi, Marco; Giorgolo, Francesca; Bagella, Simonetta; Bertini, Giada; Chianucci, Francesco; Fratini, Roberto; Gottardini, E.; Cutini, Andrea

doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106358

Cited by 9 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…n.s.= not significant (P > 0.05). indicators in long-term studies concerning complex and interconnected aspects of SFM (Brunialti et 2020;Frati et al 2022). Contrary to our findings, Vicol & Mihăilescu (2022) observed no significant differences in the red-listed lichen species number between NPAs and PAs in Romania.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…In this regard, the recent European Commission LIFE Programme funded project ‘FutureForCoppiceS’ included lichen diversity among the SFM indicators in the context of Mediterranean coppice forests (Cutini et al 2021). By adopting a modelling approach, the authors suggested that lichen species could represent suitable indicators in long-term studies concerning complex and interconnected aspects of SFM (Brunialti et al 2020; Frati et al 2022).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Natura 2000 network enhances the protection of rare epiphytic lichens: evidence from forest sites of Central Italy

Frati,

Brunialti

2023

The Lichenologist

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Although epiphytic lichens are widely adopted as environmental indicators, they are not yet included among the target species listed in Annex II of the Habitats Directive, to which the system of protected areas of the Natura 2000 network refers. In this work, we aim to test the effectiveness of this system, mainly designed for the conservation of other groups of species, in protecting lichen species richness. For this purpose, we considered a case study (Central Italy) with half of the territory included in protected areas. Statistical differences in species richness and lichen communities were tested between sites located in 16 Protected Areas (PA) and 11 Non-Protected Areas (NPA) using non-parametric tests, multi-response permutation procedures (MRPP), non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and Indicator Species Analysis (ISA). Despite the broad overlap between epiphytic lichen communities of NPAs and PAs and a similar number of total and common species, PAs contain a significantly higher number of nationally rare and extremely rare species, including cyanolichens. These results are also confirmed by the indicator analysis. Although the Natura 2000 network does not explicitly address the conservation of lichens, the protected areas in our study can play a role in protecting the diversity of epiphytic lichens, especially nationally rare and endangered species. However, the future inclusion of red-listed epiphytic lichens among the target species of Annex II of the Habitats Directive would be welcome to better protect these organisms on a European level.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Natura 2000 network enhances the protection of rare epiphytic lichens: evidence from forest sites of Central Italy

Frati,

Brunialti

2023

The Lichenologist

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“…Epiphytic lichens are influenced by macro-, meso-, and microclimatic factors, as well as by the physical and chemical features of the substrate where they grow. Because of these requirements, several authors have used lichens as bioindicators of both polluted and well-preserved environments [ 113 , 114 ]. Most authors adopt the proposal of Ref.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Together Apart: Evaluating Lichen-Phorophyte Specificity in the Canarian Laurel Forest

González-Montelongo

Pérez-Vargas

2022

JoF

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The effects of host tree identity on epiphyte lichen communities are a controversial issue, as the results obtained in different forest environments studied are not consistent. We investigated the host preferences for lichens in the laurel forest of Macaronesia. For this purpose, we analyzed the lichen communities growing on the four most common trees (Erica canariensis Rivas-Mart., M. Osorio and Wildpret, Morella faya (Aiton) Wilbur, Laurus novoca-nariensis Rivas-Mart., Lousa, Fern. Prieto, E. Días, J.C. Costa and C. Aguiar, and Ilex canariensis Poir. in Lamarck) in the laurel forest of the Canary Islands. The diversity, richness, and lichen composition showed a repetitive and common pattern with the functional traits studied. Although the existence of specificity with respect to the phorophyte species was not demonstrated, there was a clear affinity of the epiphytic lichens to the physico-chemical features of the bark (texture and pH), canopy architecture, foliar characteristics, etc. Our results highlight the importance of the natural diversity of tree species in the laurel forest. Due to the diversity and uniqueness of the lichen species that support each of the phorophytes, this fact should be taken into account in landscape protection and restoration actions, especially in those islands where the forest is highly fragmented.

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“…This vision is in agreement with [53] who focused on the need to use multiple community-based approaches to interpret the effects of forest management and on the opportunity of an integrated investigation of the dynamics of colonization that persist along gradients of forest use. For example, Brunialti et al [54] pointed out that many of the methods developed in the past (e.g., [55]) were mainly designed for high forests rather than coppice forests, even though today this management system covers more than 10% of the total European forests.…”

Section: The Differences Between Og and Nog Are Less Evident Than Onementioning

confidence: 99%

The Reproductive Strategy as an Important Trait for the Distribution of Lower-Trunk Epiphytic Lichens in Old-Growth vs. Non-Old Growth Forests

Brunialti

Giordani

Ravera

et al. 2020

Forests

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(1) Research Highlights: The work studied the beta diversity patterns of epiphytic lichens as a function of their reproductive strategies in old-growth and non-old growth forests from the Mediterranean area. (2) Background and Objectives: The reproductive strategies of lichens can drive the dispersal and distribution of species assemblages in forest ecosystems. To further investigate this issue, we analyzed data on epiphytic lichen diversity collected from old-growth and non-old growth forest sites (36 plots) located in Cilento National Park (South Italy). Our working hypothesis was that the dispersal abilities due to the different reproductive strategies drove species beta diversity depending on forest age and continuity. We expected a high turnover for sexually reproducing species and high nestedness for vegetative ones. We also considered the relationship between forest continuity and beta diversity in terms of species rarity. (3) Materials and Methods: we used the Bray–Curtis index of dissimilarity to partition lichen diversity into two components of beta diversity for different subsets (type of forest, reproductive strategy, and species rarity). (4) Results: The two forest types shared most of the common species and did not show significant differences in alpha and gamma diversity. The turnover of specific abundance was the main component of beta diversity, and was significantly greater for sexually reproducing species as compared to vegetative ones. These latter species had also the least turnover and greater nestedness in old-growth forests. Rare species showed higher turnover than common ones. (5) Conclusions: Our results suggest that sexually reproducing lichen species always have high turnover, while vegetative species tend to form nested assemblages, especially in old-growth forests. The rarity level contributes to the species turnover in lichen communities. Contrary to what one might expect, the differences between old-growth and non-old growth forests are not strong.

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Epiphytic lichen diversity and sustainable forest management criteria and indicators: A multivariate and modelling approach in coppice forests of Italy

Cited by 9 publications

References 33 publications

Natura 2000 network enhances the protection of rare epiphytic lichens: evidence from forest sites of Central Italy

Natura 2000 network enhances the protection of rare epiphytic lichens: evidence from forest sites of Central Italy

Together Apart: Evaluating Lichen-Phorophyte Specificity in the Canarian Laurel Forest

The Reproductive Strategy as an Important Trait for the Distribution of Lower-Trunk Epiphytic Lichens in Old-Growth vs. Non-Old Growth Forests

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