Influence of ground substrate on establishment of reindeer lichen after artificial dispersal

Abstract

Methods to improve the recovery of reindeer lichen after soil disturbance or overgrazing are being sought for areas where reindeer are herded. The effects of four substrates -mineral soil, moss, twigs and pine bark -on the establishment of lichen fragments after total removal of the vegetation were thus studied in a middle-aged pine stand and a clear-cut, both located in a lichen-rich pine-heath. Cladina mitis fragments of two sizes were manually dispersed in 1 m 2 quadrats and their movements from their respective dispersal points were registered after one year. The natural re-establishment of lichens in the quadrats was monitored over three years by using digital pictures. In the forest stand, no significant differences were detected in either the fragment movement or the lichen establishment between the different substrates, but the fragment size had positive effects on both parameters. In the clear-cut, the moss substrate was the most suitable not only for the artificially dispersed lichens to fasten to, but also for the natural settlement of lichens from the surrounding lichen mat. More lichen thalli fastened to the bark and twigs substrates than to the mineral soil, but the settlement of lichens from the surrounding was greater on bare mineral soil substrate. The results indicate that artificial dispersal of lichen thalli on an appropriate substrate could be a successful strategy for promoting lichen recovery.

Effects of Modern Forest Management on Winter Grazing Resources for Reindeer in Sweden

“…A study by Lidén et al (2005) showed that new populations of arboreal lichens can be successfully established, and that existing lichen populations can be enlarged, by transplanting small fragments into suitable habitats. Furthermore, Roturier et al (2007) suggest that artificial dispersal of reindeer lichen on an appropriate substrate could be a successful strategy for promoting lichen recovery. In addition, natural colonization of reindeer lichens can be enhanced by providing substrates onto which lichen fragments can attach.…”

Examining the role of terrestrial lichen transplants in restoring woodland caribou winter habitat

“…Cladonia sub-genus Cladina propagates through thallus fragmentation which is an asexual mode of reproduction. Fragments are distributed naturally by wind, water and animals (Goward 2000, Brodo et al 2001, and most often fall within one metre of the colony (Heinken 1999, Roturier et al 2007. In instances where there is a large disturbance footprint, and no lichen propagules are present, lichen establishment is dispersal-limited.…”

“…In instances where there is a large disturbance footprint, and no lichen propagules are present, lichen establishment is dispersal-limited. Terrestrial lichen transplanting techniques have been examined in a variety of landscapes from red-stemmed feathermoss colonies (Cichowski et al 2008), re-generating second growth forests (Roturier et al 2007, Roturier and Bergsten 2009, Duncan 2011, handfelled and partial cut forest (Enns 1998), to quarries (Campeau 2013), mine overburden (Rapai et al 2016), aggregate mines (Hugron et al 2013), and other industrial disturbances (Turner et al study in Duncan 2015).…”

“…Several studies have shown that transplanting C. subgenus Cladina fragments is the most efficient and promising technique for restoring terrestrial lichen communities (Roturier et al 2007, Roturier and Bergsten 2009, Duncan 2011, 2015. However, in the absence of active grazing, transplanting lichen 'patches' or 'mats' may also be effective (Enns 1998, Roturier andBergsten 2009), albeit less efficient and more costly in terms of labour and impacts on collection sites (Duncan 2011(Duncan , 2015 such as peat (Hugron 2013), straw (Campeau 2013, Hugron 2013, bark and twigs (Roturier et al 2007) have also been found to increase lichen cover.…”

“…However, in the absence of active grazing, transplanting lichen 'patches' or 'mats' may also be effective (Enns 1998, Roturier andBergsten 2009), albeit less efficient and more costly in terms of labour and impacts on collection sites (Duncan 2011(Duncan , 2015 such as peat (Hugron 2013), straw (Campeau 2013, Hugron 2013, bark and twigs (Roturier et al 2007) have also been found to increase lichen cover. Duncan (2015) suggests that appropriate substrate preparation may increase lichen propagule retention and allow for appropriate wetting and drying cycles.…”