Lichens as a useful mapping tool?—an approach to assess atmospheric N loads in Germany by total N content and stable isotope signature

Abstract

To assess whether nitrogen (N) content and δ(15)N ratios in nitrophytic lichen species (Xanthoria parietina (L.) Th. Fr. (1860) and Physcia spp. (Schreb.) Michaux (1803)) reflect the quantity and quality of atmospheric N loads, 348 lichen samples from 174 sampling grid cells were investigated in the western part of Germany. The analysed lichen N content ranged between 0.98 and 4.28 % and δ(15)N ratios between -15.2 and -1.3 ‰. Based on the N concentrations and the δ(15)N ratios of lichens, different landscape categories and coupled N deposition rates could be inferred for different regions of Germany. By analysing environmental variables like altitude, ammonia emission density, livestock unit and different defined deposition types, a direct relationship was found between lichen chemistry and N compounds produced from agricultural activity. The results support the development of a monitoring method which could be used nationally or even internationally to support current N deposition measurements, by providing reliable information on the quantity and quality of N deposition in high N environments.

IMA Genome - F13

“…Authors: Shagun Sinha, Ramesh Chand * , Sudhir Navathe * , Ravindra N. Kharwar, and Rohit Sharma *Contact: rc_vns@yahoo.co.in, sudhir.agro123@gmail.com Physcia is one of 19 genera within the lichen-forming fungal family Physciaceae (Ascomycota, Caliciales) (Lücking et al 2017). About 80 species of foliose lichens are recognized in Physcia (Lücking et al 2017) and these occur in various habitats, including those rich in nitrogen (Janssen et al 2007;Boltersdorf and Werner 2014).…”

“…Physcia is one of 19 genera within the lichen-forming fungal family Physciaceae ( Ascomycota , Caliciales ) (Lücking et al 2017 ). About 80 species of foliose lichens are recognized in Physcia (Lücking et al 2017 ) and these occur in various habitats, including those rich in nitrogen (Janssen et al 2007 ; Boltersdorf and Werner 2014 ).…”

Stable isotope signatures reflect dietary diversity in European forest moths

“…Eilema griseola , E. lurideola , Miltochrista miniata , and Pelosia muscerda ) deviated by more than 13‰ from their nominal substrate. Although nitrogen isotope signatures of lichens have been shown to vary with soil condition [50] and atmospheric N concentrations [51], the magnitude of the observed discrepancy suggests that among the examined species, only L. quadra is obligately lichenivorous in the study region. The other taxa appear to rely to a large degree on other sources (e.g.…”

Carbon, Nitrogen and Sulphur concentration and δ13C, δ15N values in Hypogymnia physodes within the montane area – preliminary data

“…The lichens are supplied by macro elements such as carbon and nitrogen, depending on the availability and conditions of their growth, in both gaseous and ion dissolved in precipitation forms. According to Dahlman et al (2004), Hauck (2010) and Boltersdorf and Werner (2014), it is claimed that epiphytic lichens (e.g., Hypogymnia physodes) take up nitrogen directly from the atmosphere. In case of nitrogen, it can be NH 3 , NO x , NO 2 , HNO 3 , NH 4 + or NO 3 -.…”