Abstract: Many lichen species produce both sexual and asexual propagules, but, aside from being minute, these diaspores lack special adaptations for long-distance dispersal. So far, molecular studies have not directly addressed isolation and genetic differentiation of lichen populations, both being affected by gene flow, at a regional scale. We used six mycobiont-specific microsatellite loci to investigate the population genetic structure of the epiphytic lichen Lobaria pulmonaria in two regions that strongly differed with respect to anthropogenic impact. In British Columbia, L. pulmonaria grows in continuous old-growth forests, while its populations in the old cultural landscape of Switzerland are comparably small and fragmented. Populations from both British Columbia and Switzerland were genetically diverse at the loci. Geographically restricted alleles, low historical gene flow, and analyses of genetic distance (upgma tree) and of differentiation (amova) indicated that populations from Vancouver Island and from the Canadian mainland were separated from each other, except for one, geographically intermediate population. This differentiation was attributed to different glacial and postglacial histories of coastal and inland populations in British Columbia. In contrast to expectations, the three investigated Swiss populations were genetically neither isolated nor differentiated from each other despite the long-lasting negative human impact on the lichen's range size in Central Europe. We propose that detailed studies integrating local landscape and regional scales are now needed to understand the processes of dispersal and gene flow in lichens.

Abstract: Generic concepts in the parmelioid lichens have been discussed intensively over the past three decades without reaching a broad consensus. We have now employed molecular data from three genes to provide a basis for a revised generic concept of the parmelioid lichens containing Xanthoparmelia-type lichenan. The phylogeny of the parmelioid lichens containing Xanthoparmelia-type lichenan was reconstructed using a combined Bayesian analysis of nuclear ITS, LSU rDNA and mitochondrial SSU rDNA sequences, and a maximum parsimony analysis was also made for comparison. 179 new partial sequences of 58 taxa were generated and 12 sequences were downloaded from GenBank. Our results indicate that the lichens containing Xanthoparmelia-type lichenan form a monophyletic group. However, the segregates proposed earlier do not form distinct clades within the group. Alternative hypotheses of monophyletic Karoowia and Neofuscelia that are not nested within Xanthoparmelia were rejected with our dataset; Karoowia is polyphyletic, and Neofuscelia is reduced to synonymy under Xanthoparmelia. Xanthomaculina convoluta also belongs to Xanthoparmelia. Since we were unable to sequence the umbilicate type species ofXanthomaculina, we refrain from synonymizing that genus with Xanthoparmelia here. The synonymy of Chondropsis and Paraparmelia under Xanthoparmelia already proposed is supported. The revised and enlarged genus Xanthoparmelia includes species that have cell walls with Xanthoparmelia-type lichenan, a palisade plectenchyma with a pored epicortex, lack pseudocyphellae, with usually simple rhizines, generally bifusiform conidia, and medullary chemical diversity. Ten new names are proposed, and 129 new combinations are made into Xanthoparmelia.

Abstract: In order to learn more about nitrogen (N) acquisition in lichens, and to see whether different lichens differ in their affinity to various N sources, N uptake was measured in 14 various lichen associations (“species”). These species represented various morphologies (fruticose or foliose), contrasting microhabitat preferences (epiphytic or terricolous), and had green algal, cyanobacterial or both forms of photobionts. N was supplied under non-limiting conditions as an amino acid mixture, ammonium, or nitrate, using 15N to quantify uptake. Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP) was used to separate active and passive uptake. Thallus N, amino acids, soluble polyol concentrations, and the biont-specific markers chlorophyll a and ergosterol were quantified, aiming to test if these metabolites or markers were correlated with N uptake capacity. Ammonium uptake was significantly greater and to a higher extent passive, relative to the other two N sources. Nitrate uptake differed among lichen photobiont groups, cyanobacterial lichens having a lower uptake rate. All lichens had the capacity to assimilate amino acids, in many species at rates equal to nitrate uptake or even higher, suggesting that organic N compounds could potentially have an important role in the N nutrition of these organisms. There were no clear correlations between N uptake rates and any of the measured metabolites or markers. The relative uptake rates of ammonium, nitrate and amino acids were not related to morphology or microhabitat.

Abstract: This short review focuses on lichens which have cyanobacteria as their main photosynthetic partner or in localized areas termed cephalodia. Research is cited to show that cyanolichens are very sensitive to gaseous air pollution, to acid rain, and to habitat disturbance. These lichens are worth conserving for their own sake but are also valuable for assessing the status of forests in areas like northeastern North America, where forests cover large tracts of land. The richness of the cyanolichen flora reflects biological diversity in the forests. Cyanolichens fix atmospheric nitrogen, are generally nutrient-rich, and have a diverse associated invertebrate fauna. These invertebrates provide food that sustain both resident and migrating birds. Management strategies that might be used to maintain and ensure the survival of the rich cyanolichen flora of the northeastern U.S. and Atlantic Provinces of Canada are presented and discussed.

Abstract: Orographic precipitation over interior mountains has resulted in the formation of the inland temperate rainforest, where certain stands are potentially antique and support a rich flora of epiphytic macrolichens. We documented macrolichen diversity across three age-classes in forests of the Interior Cedar–Hemlock biogeoclimatic zone (i.e., ICHwk3 subzone) east of Prince George, British Columbia. Our objectives were to report changes in lichen communities with stand age, identify potential indicators of antiquity, and investigate the functional role of dominant species in the ecosystem. We identified 41 taxa, including 4 alectorioid lichens, 21 foliose chlorolichens, and 16 old-growth-associated chlorolichens and cyanolichens. Older forests supported more species than young or mature forests. The abundance of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm. was strongly correlated with this increase in diversity and may therefore be an appropriate indicator of stand age in the ICH. The increase in L. pulmonaria and other N2-...

Abstract: Modern forestry has created stands with even age distribution of trees and fragmentation of the habitat. In boreal forests, the effects on biodiversity within many taxa need to be examined. We tested the hypothesis that species richness of foliose and fruticose lichens and spiders is positively related in the lower canopy of spruce (Picea abies) in forests with, or without, management in central Sweden. High species richness of lichens may increase the structural complexity of the microhabitat on spruce branches, and bring a higher species richness also in the spider community. In six areas, spruce branches were sampled in old-growth and managed boreal forest stands, respectively. Forest management did not affect the species richness of spiders or lichens, but an effect due to sampling area was found in the latter taxon. There was a significant covariation between species richness of lichens and spiders, and the hypothesised positive correlation was confirmed by separate analyses for each area and combining the probabilities. Moreover, regression analysis on mean values from each site revealed a positive relationship. We conclude that species richness of lichens and spiders covary on spruce branches for functional reasons, i.e. more lichen species promotes a more diverse spider community by increasing the structural heterogeneity. Our results might provide a ‘shortcut’ for assessing biodiversity in boreal forests.

Abstract: Since the 1970s the encroachment by tall graminoids, especially of Ammophila arenaria, has changed the aspect of the calcium-poor 'grey dunes' of the Wadden Sea island Terschelling (The Netherlands) formerly dominated by Corynephorus canescens. In addition, the neophytic moss Campylopus introflexus, a species adapted to acid open sand invaded these dunes. In this paper the cryptogam vegetation inside dry dune-grassland (the Corynephorion, the Tortulo- and Polygalo-Koelerion) and dune-heath (Empetrion) before (the 1960s) and after these changes (the 1990s) are compared. It was found that in the former period the lichen diversity in several plant communities was very high, amounting to a total of 45 species, among which 10 epigeic growing species that are usually epiphytes. In the latter period, Campylopus introflexus not only outgrew the rare lichens from the pioneer stage of the Violo-Corynephoretum, but also the more common pioneer species of decalcified sand. However, when this moss has lower vitality through desiccation or being blown-over by sand, common humicolous lichens and some pioneer species may act as secondary pioneers on these withered moss carpets. In the 1990s some relatively open communities were still present in a transition stage of the Violo-Corynephoretum to the Phleo-Tortuletum and in the Phleo-Tortuletum itself, forming a suitable environment for some lichen pioneer species of subneutral sand, including some of the epigeic growing epiphytes.

Abstract: There are a large number of species of Antarctic lichens, and several studies describing the secondary metabolites present in these lichens, as well as the advances in understanding the chemistry o...

Abstract: The thesis consists of regional forest condition studies, using different biomonitors. Heavy metal deposition was investigated in 1985–2000 on the basis of the heavy metal concentrations (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, Pb, V, Zn) in mosses in Finland. A comparison on the suitability of mosses, epiphytic lichens and pine bark as biomonitors of heavy metals was also carried. Bark was also used to study the dispersal of emissions from the Kola Peninsula into northern Finland. The occurrence of green algae on conifers in Finland was investigated in 1985 and 1995. Regional and temporal differences were found in the heavy metal concentrations of mosses in Finland. The concentrations of most metals were the highest in southern Finland, and they decreased towards the north. Some of the major emission source had a noticeable effect on the Cu, Ni and Cr concentrations of mosses in the surroundings of the emission sources. The Pb, Cd and V concentrations decreased the most during the study period. Mosses, lichens and bark gave a relatively similar result for heavy metal deposition in Finland. However, the comparisons indicated that mosses are better suited as biomonitors for regional surveys than epiphytic lichens, because the regional differences in heavy metal deposition were more readily reflected by concentrations in mosses than in lichens. Bark is relatively unsuitable for regional surveys due to the small range of variation in the concentrations. Emissions from the Kola Peninsula had a clear effect on the sulphur and heavy metal concentrations of pine bark. The concentrations in bark were at very high levels close to the smelters, but they rapidly decreased on moving towards the west. The effects of emissions were still clearly visible in north-eastern Lapland. There was strong increase in the abundance of green algae on conifers in southern and central Finland during the period 1985–1995. The increase is probably due to following factors: climate warming, and an increase in nitrogen and a decrease in sulphur in their habitats. Half of each biomonitor sample collected in the surveys has been stored in the specimen bank at Paljakka. The storage of samples offers advantages for monitoring purposes. The availability of longterm sample series makes it possible to construct retrospective time series of the pollutants. The specimen bank is to be further developed in the future by establishing a reputation as a storage facility for samples related to forest ecosystems.

Abstract: The objective of this project was to assess the importance of pristine forests in maintaining the botanical biodiversity of the humid boreal balsam fir forest of eastern Canada. The study was based on a comparative analysis of silviculturally mature second-growth stands and pristine forest stands at two stages of development (senescent and old growth) in the Gaspe Peninsula. The structure and composition of the stands was described, and the abundance of structural attributes evaluated. The communities of nonvascular plant species (mosses, liverworts), lichens, and saprophytic fungi were compared. The study demonstrated that the pristine forest landscape studied was composed largely of old-growth and senescent stands. Old-growth forests are differentiated by their irregular structure. The results regarding nonvascular plant species, lichens, and saprophytic fungi show higher species diversity in old-growth forests, corresponding to higher habitat diversity. Species assemblages were comparable between the pristine forests, but differ- ent from those of second-growth stands. Rare species are found more frequently in the old-growth forests. The results indicate that the old-growth balsam fir stands of the Gaspe Peninsula constitute critical habitats for maintaining a large number of species threatened by the gradual disappearance of primeval stands.

Abstract: The investigation was designed to explore the structure, composition, and activity of a biological soil crust on an acidic, sandy soil from a temperate climate. The crust covers several hundreds of square meters on the hilltop of a large terminal moraine. The conjugate alga Zygogonium ericetorum forms the essential matrix for the crust, a dense web of algal filaments with interspersed lichens and mosses. The crust is composed of three layers, with an uppermost layer consisting nearly entirely of a dense algal mat. In lower layers, a parasitic fungus, penetrating the algal cells, is another important component of the crust community. In this soil crust, photosynthetic and respiratory activity is stabilized at low water activities.

Abstract: Polychlorodibenzeno-dioxins and polychlorodibenzeno-furans (PCDD/Fs) are considered among the most toxic compounds on earth. The aim of the present study was to evaluate atmospheric PCDD/F deposition and identify the areas with greater deposition of these compounds in an important industrialized and urbanized region of Portugal, using lichens as biomonitors. For this purpose, samples of the lichen Xanthoria parietina were collected at 60 sampling sites, covering urban, industrial, forestry and agriculture areas, and analyzed for PCDD/Fs, sulfur, nitrogen, zinc, iron, chromium, lead, cobalt, nickel, copper, calcium, manganese, magnesium and potassium. The concentrations of PCDD/Fs in lichens were compared with the other elements and related to land-use and population density. The results obtained through the geostatistical interpolations and after principal component analysis have shown that PCDD/F deposition estimated by lichens is greater near industrial and highly populated urban areas. We found that lichens are suitable biomonitors of PCDD/F atmospheric deposition and can contribute to a better knowledge of air quality in a region, enabling identification of critical pollutant deposition areas.

Abstract: A survey and inventory of tree canopy bio? diversity for cryptogams (myxomycetes, macrofungi, mosses, liverworts, lichens and ferns) in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park resulted in the dis- covery of an undescribed myxomycete species. This taxon is classified in the order Physarales, family Di- dymiaceae and genus Diachea. A combination of morphological characteristics distinguishes Diachea arboricola H.W. Keller & M. Skrabal sp. nov. from all other species in the genus: peridium iridescent gold to silvery gray; stalk reddish orange above and whitish below, filled with crystals; capillitial threads stiff, di- chotomously branched and arising from the tip of the columella; spore ornamentation uniformly cov- ering the entire spore surface, appearing spiny with light microscopy, with scanning electron microscopy as vertical processes with capitate, clustered, spike- like tips. This type of spore ornamentation has not been found in any other Diachea species. Diachea ar? boricola is known only from the tree canopy, ranging in height from roughly 3 to 21 m, on three tree spe? cies, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana and Quercus alba. Observations of plasmodial growth and fruiting body development are described based on moist chamber cultures. Tree canopy observations in situ suggest that the plasmodium of this species mi- grates over extensive vertical areas of tree bark. Eco? logical factors are discussed that include pH of bark substrata. The species description is based on abun? dant sporangia from 17 different collections. A key

Abstract: Among marine fungi, the submerged lichens are a small and rarely investigated group The two species examined have been known for a long time; Mastodia tessellata (syn Turgidosculum complicatulum) was first described in 1845, and Collemopsidium pelvetiae (syn Pyrenocollema pelvetiae) in 1915 Here we clarified the formerly confused nomenclature and provided full descriptions and detailed illustrations, made with a camera lucida The name Ulva tessellata is lectotypified, a neotype is selected for Dothidella pelvetiae, and the new combination Collemopsidium pelvetiae (basionym D pelvetiae) is made

Abstract: Molecular sequence data of the nuclear ITS region was used to investigate the diversity of photobionts in Polish samples of Flavocetraria nivalis. The samples came both from alpine habitats, as well as from lowland localities near the coast. All green algal symbionts were identified as members of the Trebouxia simplex aggregate. These were compared with those of additional samples from Flavocetraria nivalis collected in different parts of Europe and also with photobionts assigned to T. simplex from other lichens. Within the T. simplex aggregate, the Trebouxia ITS sequences from F. nivalis formed four clades. In the Polish lowland populations only a single clade of T. simplex was detected which also occurs in Polish mountains, south Sweden and Austria. A further clade of T. simplex is present in F. nivalis from Polish mountains and is also known from F. nivalis further north in Scandinavia and Greenland, as well as from other lichens in Sweden, the Austrian Alps, and Antarctica.