Islands of the Gulf of Finland – important areas for maintaining lichen diversity in North-West Russia

Alexeeva, N.
Department of Botany, St. Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia

Numerous islands in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland have been restricted for visiting during the last 50 years due to the Soviet military requirements. In former times Finnish settlements were situated on the largest islands, nevertheless neither large scale agriculture nor forestry have been executed there. Thus, the nature and landscape of these areas nearby of St. Petersburg have mainly been left undisturbed.
Until recently only scanty information on lichen diversity of these areas was available. The lichen flora of Hogland was carefully investigated by M. Brenner (1886), though no further inventories have been made for over a century. List of species for Bolshoy Tuters was published by M. Andreev in 2002. Information on lichen diversity from recent collections on other remote islands (Malyj Tuters, Moschnyj, Malyj, Seskar etc.) and archipelagos in vicinities from mainland (Beryozovye, Lisij and Shkolnyj islands) is mainly unpublished.
At present 488 species of lichens and allied fungi are known for the islands. Consequently the area that is 3 hundred times smaller than Leningrad region maintains about 60% of the region's known lichen diversity. 91 species from the list of Leningrad region are restricted only to these islands, with 57 of them being
cited by M. Brenner. 30 species listed in the Red Data Book of Leningrad region are found on the islands, some of them being common on studied sites at present. Mosaic pattern of a variety of natural complexes combined with moderate anthropogenic pressure over the long period allowed many lichen species to maintain their populations on the islands. Nowadays these areas need special attention because of increasing negative pressure from recreation and newly built oil terminals in Primorsk and Vysotsk.


Some over-looked tropical lichens: assessing from a study in Thailand

Boonpragob, K.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkok, Thailand

Intensive exploration of lichens at Khao yai National Park on 200–1300 meters altitude representing five major ecosystems in Thailand during 1999–2001 found 518 species, 90 genera in 32 families from 6400 collected specimens. Only 30 % of the identified taxa are previously known, 45 % are new records, and 25 % are unknown taxa, which probably new to science. Macrolichens contributed 32 % of the identified species with 48 % shared by the microlichens, and 20 % belong to the foliicolous lichens. The tropical rain forest house nearly 60 % of the species found with lesser numbers recorded from the dry evergreen forest 43 %, the lower montane forest 42 %, the secondary forest 36 %, the dry diptercoarp forest 12 %, the mix deciduous forest 15 % and 13 % from tree plantation. The Grapidaceae contributing nearly 40 % of unknown taxa with lesser shared from the Thelotremataceae and the Trapeliaceae. Lichens found in every forest were Graphis dumustiides, G. rimulosa, Phaeographina chlorocarpoides, P. quassiaecola, Parmotrema tinctorum, Laurera benguelensis and Trypethelium eluteria. 30 taxa were specific to the tropical rain forest and the lower montane forest, whereas 3 species were found only in the mix deciduous forest and plantation area.


Distribution and ecological aspects of foliose and fruticose lichens at Khao Yai National Park

Buaruang, K., Boonpragob, K., Mongkolsuk, P., Homchantara, N. & Sangvichien, E.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ramkhamhaeng University, Bangkapi, Bangkok 10240, Thailand

This study is the first intensive investigation of macrolichens throughout Khoa Yai Nation Park. It consisted of 1,167 collecting specimens, from 59 host tree species, rocks and others substrates from 74 sampling sites. They were identified into 7 families, 18 genera and 89 species. Of these, 51% belong to the Parmeliaceae, 19% to Collemataceae, 11% to Usneaceae, 7% to Coccocarpiaceae, 6% to Pannariaceae and 3% to Lobariaceae and Ramalinaceae. 73% of the investigated taxa are previously reported from Thailand, 6% are undescribed (new species), and 21 % are new records.
Species composition varies among different types of forests. The highest diversity was found in the tropical rain forests, and lesser in the dry evergreen forests, the secondary forests, the lower montane forests, the areas of tree plantation, the dry dipterocarp forests, whereas the lowest diversity was found in the mixed deciduous forests. The most widely distributed species are Bulbothrix isidiza, Parmotrema praesorediosum and Parmotrema tinctorum. Species specifically found in the tropical rain forests are Leptogium crispatellum and Relicina sublimbata; the dry evergreen forests are Collema kauaiense and Usnea abissinica; the secondary forests are Bulbothrix ventricosa and Relicna subabstrusa; the lower montane forests are Erioderma mollissimum, Hypotrachyna adducta and Parmelinopsis jamesii; the areas of tree plantation is Collema sp. 1; the dry dipterocarp forests are Bulbothrix meizospora, Parmotrema euplectinum and Relicina circumnodata and the mixed deciduous forests is absent of specific species.


Succession in lichen communities on stumps of Norway spruce Picea abies in young managed boreonemoral forests in Sweden

Caruso, A.
Department of Conservation Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden

After final felling newly created dead wood is made up of branches and tops left as logging residues. In addition, the cut surfaces of stumps also contribute to the dead wood supply in the early stages of the regenerated forest. During the last decades there has been an increase of the harvest of logging residues in Sweden leaving stumps as the major source of dead wood in young forest stands. Lichen communities inhabiting the cut surfaces of stumps has been poorly investigated so this study aims to describe the flora and study the succession in the lichen communities on Norway spruce stumps in these stands.
In the province of Uppland (Sweden) I selected eight managed Norway spruce dominated forest stands for each of four age classes ranging from four to eighteen years old. Stands older than eighteen years of age were not considered since they contain stumps that are highly decayed and often totally covered with bryophytes. In each stand I then made a complete inventory of lichens on fifteen stumps of Norway spruce. On each stump I also measured the diameter, height above ground and the degree of decay.In total I found 56 species and the results indicate a significant difference in species number between the age classes. No red list species were found. Age class three (12-13 years old) was the most species rich with an average of seven species per stump while age class one (5-6 years old) only had an average of three species per stump.I found two species unique for age class three and two species unique for age class four (16-18 years old) but no species only occurring in the two youngest age classes were found. The difference in species composition between the age classes was best explained by the age of the stand.


On-line identification keys of Antarctic lichens

Castello, M. & Martellos, S.
Department of Biology, University of Trieste, Italy

This paper presents an on-line, interactive identification key to the lichens of the Terra Nova Bay area (Victoria Land, Continental Antarctica). Lichens are one of the main components of Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems, but research was strongly affected in the past by a poor taxonomical treatment of most groups. The recent lichen Flora by Øvstedal & Lewis Smith is a new starting point in biodiversity research in Antarctica. Informatic instruments provide powerful tools for divulgation of scientific knowledge and identification. A computerised database of Antarctic lichens (VICTORIA) was created within the Italian National Antarctic Project: it organises morpho-anatomical and chemical data, iconography of the taxa of the Antarctic herbarium kept in TSB, nomenclatural and distributional information of taxa recorded from Antarctic regions in the literature, and the herbarium data. A new program for interactive identification, FRIDA, has been joined to VICTORIA. This paper presents the first example produced by FRIDA: an on-line identification key and an atlas of the 57 lichens occurring in the Terra Nova Bay area. Two query interfaces are present: the first is a simple one, which guides users along every step of the identification process. The second permits to reduce the number of taxa by means of multicriterial filters. The output is a dicothomic identification key containing detailed descriptions and pictures of the taxa.


Nemoral lichens in North-West Altai lichen flora

Davydov, E. A.
Tigirek State Natural Reserve, Barnaul, Russia

North-West Altai (NWA) is a well known refuge for the tertiary nemoral flora. The aim of the research was to reveal and discuss the nemoral element of lichen biota on this territory. Investigations were based on field studies in Altai Mts during 1995-2003.
The nemoral complex of NWA lichens includes 70 spp. from 37 g. and 21 f. According to taxonomic analysis this group is heterogenic and includes taxa of tropical, subtropical, and Ancient Mediterranean origin. The distribution of the majority of species is widely disjunctive. There are three groups of main recent distribution in Eurasia: (1) in the European nemoral sector, (2) in East Asia, (3) in both of these areas (the majority). Most of species in NWA are mainly inhabitants of a relict subnemoral forest belt. Typically they live on bark of deciduous trees and Abies sibirica; part of them grows on moss-covered rocks though in the main area of their distribution they are typical epiphytes. According to the geographical and ecological characteristics, a great part of nemoral lichens in NWA seem to be relicts of the Palaeogenic-Neogenic nemoral forests.
It is possible to discern another group of more xerophytous, photophylous nemoral lichens that are not typical for Siberian relict subnemoral forests. Distribution and ecological characteristics of e.g. Parmelina tiliacea point out that its distribution was formed on the base of "Quercetal" xerophytic forests which were also developed in Siberia in the tertiary period. Flavopunctelia soredica otherwise has North Holarctic genesis and is not connected with A. Mediterranean.
So, the nemoral complex of lichens in NWA is heterogeneous and not only connected with subnemoral relict forests.
The majority of nemoral species in NWA are rare and their ecotopes need protection on national or regional level. This problem was partly solved by establishing a Tigirek State Natural Reserve in 1999. Unfortunately, richer subnemoral forests in the vicinity of TSNR are still unprotected.


Distributions of rare alpine lichens in Washington State, USA

Glew, K. A.
Lichen Herbarium, Burke Museum, Box 355325, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA

Are some lichens rare or simply not collected? Over the last 10 years, new surveys were conducted for alpine lichens in the Olympic and Cascade Mountains of Washington State. These lichens are generally undercollected for the state, but recent inventories reveal new species not previously known. While the two mountain ranges share many species, several lichens are found only in one of the two ranges. Olympic Mountain species, such as Vulpicida tilesii and Umbilicaria rigida are either disjunct with populations in the Rocky Mountains or occur less frequently in the Cascade Mountains. Stereocaulon nivale (formerly Bacidia nivalis), listed only from Mount Baker in the Cascade Range, is now known from several locations in the central Cascades with additional collections in British Columbia and Alaska. To date, S. nivale appears restricted to the Pacific Northwest of North America. Mount Rainier, at an elevation of 4,392 m, preserves alpine communities rarely seen in other areas of the state or the Pacific Northwest. This high elevation could potentially accommodate lichens occurring more commonly in the North American Arctic. Mount Adams and Mount Baker already hold records for species uncommonly found at Washington's latitude, such as Usnea sphacelata and Arctoparmelia incurva. While most of Washington's alpine lichens are in no immediate danger of disturbance due to trampling, efforts are being made to protect high elevation areas. Recording locations of rare alpine species will help to preserve sensitive areas.


Floristic studies of lichens in Khorasan province, Iran

Hadji Moniri, M. (1), Fallahian, F. (2) & Maassoumi, A. A. (3)
(1) Biology Department, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, Iran; (2) Science & Research Unit, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran; (3) Research Institute of Forests & Rangelands, Tehran, Iran

Khorasan province is located in the northeast of Iran between 30 21 N-38 17 and 55 28 -61 30 E, covering more than 300,000 km2, with altitudes ranging between 300 and 3200 m, with four climatic types and belonging phytogeographically to the holartic kingdom and Irano-Touranian vegetation region.
Scarceness of previous lichenological investigatons, inadequacy of the literature and absence of comparison material in the region, make the study of the lichen flora of Khorasan extremely difficult.
In the course of a Ph.D thesis on the lichen flora of Khorasan, many specimens from different substrates were collected. Morphological and chemical studies were done using standard microscopical techniques and spot tests with the current reagents.
Two varieties and 40 species of lichens in 22 genera of 14 families were identified so far. The two genera Farnoldia Hertel and Placidium Massal. with the species F. jurana (Schaerer) Hertel and P. pilosellum (Breuss) Breuss are newly reported for Iran. Among the 14 new records for Iran are Anaptychia roemeri Poelt, Collema auriforme (With.) Coppins & London, Lecanora usbekica Poelt and Toninia diffracta (Massal.) Zahlbr. Among the 19 new species for Khorasan are Caloplaca alociza (Massal.) Mig., Rhizocarpon viridiatrum (Wukfen) Korb. and Squamarina lentigera (Weber) Poelt.


Relationships between local and general distribution of epiphytic lichens. A case-study in Calabria (Italy)

Incerti, G.
Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy

This is a study on the biogeography of epiphytic lichens in southern Calabria (S Italy). 14 sampling sites were selected in such a way as to represent the main vegetation belts of the survey area. In each site, a minimum of 5 trees was randomly selected, and the epiphytic species present on the boles, from the ground to 2 m were recorded. The species-sites matrix was submitted to numerical classification. For each of the main clusters of species, a chorogram was constructed. i.e. a GIS-based map showing the joint distribution of all species of each cluster in the 9 main bioclimatic areas of Italy. The chorograms are based on a numerical index which, for each species, expresses its main distributional pattern in the 9 bioclimatic areas. The main clusters of species based on their local distribution are characterised by clearly different distributional patterns within Italy. The results reveal a high degree of correlation between local ecological conditions and general distribution of lichens.


Epixylic lichens in Pojezierze Lawskie Landscape Park in northern Poland

Jando, K.
Departament of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, University of Gdañsk, Al. Legionów 9, PL-80-441 Gdañsk, Poland

The studies on epixylic lichens were conducted in Pojezierze Lawskie Landscape Park (N Poland) in the years 1999-2003. Species taken into consideration were growing on natural substrate – natural decaying wood e.g. stumps, fallen branches and logs well as on antropogenous wood. Using wood as a building material in past and the weak level of wood protection against decaying caused that epixylic lichens found many new potential habitats: wooden constructions made by men e.g. fence, wooden posts and wall. The results show that the flora of wood consists mostly of species characterized by wide ecological amplitude epixylic and growing on soil. The species typical typical only for this substrate make a small part of total epixylic lichen flora. Among interesting species there were found Absconditella delutula (Nyl.) Coppins & H. Kilias, Bryoria implexa (Nyl. ex Stiz.) Bystrek non (Hoffm.) Brodo & D. Hawksw., Candelariella reflexa (Nyl.) Lettau, Cetraria sepincola (Ehrh.) Ach., Chaenotheca brunneola (Ach.) Mtll. Arg., Mycocalicium parietinum (Ach. ex Schaerer) D. Hawksw., Strangospora moriformis (Ach.) B. Stein, Thelomma ocellatum (Koerber) Tibell, Thelocarpon intermediellum Nyl. and Usnea hirta
(L.) Weber in Mot.


The genetic diversity of Lobaria pulmonaria in different habitats in north-eastern and south-western parts of Estonia

Jüriado, I. (1,2), Csencsics, D. (2), Kohv, K. (1) & Scheidegger, C. (2)
(1) Institute of Botany & Ecology, University of Tartu, Lai St. 38, 51005 Tartu, Estonia; (2) WSL Swiss Federal Research Institute, CH-8903 Birmensdorf, Switzerland

Lobaria pulmonaria is a well-known epiphytic lichen species in the Northern Hemisphere. In Estonia, it is frequent in the north-eastern (NE) and south-western (SW) parts while rare in other regions. The aims of this study are to determine and compare genetic diversity between populations: (1) of NE and SW Estonia, (2) from natural forest and semi-natural biotopes, (3) from boreo-nemoral and boreal forest types, and (4) from forests of different stand age classes. We collected 265 Lobaria-samples from twelve populations of NE and SW Estonia. We used six polymorphic, fungus specific microsatellites as molecular markers (Walser et al. 2003) and we performed fragment length analysis using an automated sequencer. We detected 170 different multilocus genotypes (64%), the majority of which (75%) occurred only once. The populations of L. pulmonaria in NE and SW Estonia are not significantly differentiated, there is also no significant genetic differentiation of the species among biotopes, forest types and stand age classes. Genetic diversity in populations of L. pulmonaria is significantly lower in semi-natural biotopes in NE Estonia compared to other studied localities. The spatial autocorrelation analysis with recurring haplotypes shows a significant clonal component of L. pulmonaria within 100 m distance classes.


Biodiversity of lichens and lichenicolous fungi in the Krivoklátsko Biosphere Reserve in the Czech Republic

Kocourková, J.
National Museum, Mycological Dept., Prague, Czech Republic

Biodiversity of lichens and lichenicolous fungi of the Krivoklátsko Protected Landscape Area and Biosphere reserve in central Bohemia in the Czech Republic has been studied in years 2000-2004. The area of territory covers 62,792 ha. The main axis of the region is formed by the deep valley of the Berounka River with scattered rock formations and with a network of tributary valleys and lateral gorges. The area was established for the preservation and protection of the wide variety of nature phenomena. The most precious are the well-preserved mixed and deciduous broad-leaved forests. Floral and faunal elements, inclusive fungi, lichens and lichenicolous fungi of the forest (scree, slope, and ravine forests) and steppe-forest ecosystems as well as relict pine-oak communities of rocky habitats are very rich. On proterozoic slates and spilites, the mineral rich paleobasalts with calcite impregnations and paleozoic paleovolcanic rocks of very variabile mineral content (paleorhyolites and palaeoandesites), as well as on quartzite of the middle-Ordovician age very rich biodiversity of lichens is to be found. The region belongs to the moderately warm and moderately dry district. The mean annual temperatures are over the largest part of territory between 7 and 8 °C, mean annual percipitation fluctuates between 500mm and 550mm.
Based on the study of specimens from quoted institutional herbaria, private collections, the author´s collections, and on critical analysis of literature records; total of 520 taxa are reported. Presented amount of lichens and lichenicolous fungi represents almost one third of species of the Czech lichenflora. Two lichenicolous fungi Neolamya xanthoparmeliae Kocourková and Acarosporium hospitans Kocourková are reported as new to science. Cornutispora ciliata, Lecanora rupicola var. efflorescens, Libertiella malmedyensis, Lichenochora coarctatae, Stigmidium squamariae are reported for the first time from the Czech Republic.


Lichens and lichenicolous fungi of birch in different forest habitats in Bory Tucholskie (N Poland)

Kowalewska A.
Department of Plant Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, University of Gdañsk, Al. Legionów 9, PL-80-441 Gdañsk, Poland

In the years 1998-2003 lichens and lichenicolous fungi of birch Betula pendula were studied in northern part of Bory Tucholskie forest in northern Poland. Selected trees with diameter of 30 cm or more were studied in three different forest habitats: in dry pine forest, moderately humid pine forest, and at the edge of peat bog pine forest. In each type of forest 30 trees were analysed. The aims of the studies were to determine the species composition and the frequency and distribution of each species on birch trunks. Those data were compared for three mentioned pine forest types. In every type of habitat characteristic species were found, e.g. exclusively in dry pine forest some Cladonia species (C. arbuscula, C. crispata, C. rangiferina, C. uncialis) and Cetraria islandica were observed on lower part of trunks. On the other hand, Mycoblastus fucatus and Parmeliopsis hyperopta were growing only on birches occurring at the edges of peat bog pine forests. Many species were found in all types of pine forests in the studied area, however there were significant differences in the abundance in many cases. The highest average percentage of coverage of Hypocenomyce scalaris was found in dry pine forest (more than 35%), whereas at the edge of peat bog forest it was the lowest (7.6%). In moderately humid pine forest it reaches about 25%. Dimerella pineti, Micarea prasina s.lat. as well as members of genus Chaenotheca have their optimum of occurrence (maximal coverage of trunks) in peat bog pine forest. Such species as Cetraria chlorophylla, Platismatia glauca or Pseudevernia furfuracea were the most abundant in moderately humid pine forest. Nine lichenicolous fungi were identified in the studied material. Some species are frequent (e.g. Clypeococcum hypocenomycis), some are rare (e.g. Arthorhaphis aeruginosa),
however most of them were growing in every type of pine forest.


Cetrarioid lichen genera and species in China – a regional revision synopsis

Lai, M.-J.
P.O.Box 834, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan 407

Even though the cetrarioid lichen segregates are still not phylogenetically well-circumscribed, they are recognized as a conveniently defined morphological grouping within the family Parmeliaceae which may consist of three major taxonomic categories: alectorioid, parmelioid and cetrarioid. They appear to be characterized by the essentially marginal apothecia and pycnidia, strap-shaped lobes, and subfruticose or ascending foliose thalli (in some genera the thalli are even distinctly foliose and Parmelia-like). At present there are ca. 130 accepted species in 24 genera proposed by now.
While undertaking the revision work for the Parmeliaceae (in part) of the "Lichen Flora of China", the author has completed the following scheme for the taxonomic treatment of the Chinese cetrarioid lichen genera and species based on the collections kept at the major local lichen herbaria in Kunming, Beijing and Shenyang. Keys to the 15 cetrarioid genera and 71 species in China are provided herewith to assist identification.
Molecular data regarding Allocetraria oakesiana provided recently by Dr. Arne Thell is very helpful in the final solution of its generic placement. The genus Allocetraria is re-delimited, and the new genus Usnocetraria M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei is described. Eleven new combinations have been made for Usnocetraria: U. denticulata (Hue) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei, U. flavonigrescens (Thell & Randlane) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei, U. globulans (Nyl.) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei, U. kurokawae (Shibuichi & Yoshida) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei (Japanese species), U. leucostigma (Lév.) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei, U. melaloma (Nyl.) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei, U. oakesiana (Tuck.) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei (designated as the type species), U. potaninii (Oksner) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei, U. sinensis ( X. Q. Gao) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei, U. weii (X. Q. Gao & L. H. Chen) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei, and U. xizangensis (J. C. Wei & Y. M. Jiang) M. J. Lai & J. C. Wei. Tuckermannopsis hengduanensis (L. H. Chen) M. J. Lai, comb. nov. is also proposed.


TICOLICHEN – the Costa Rican lichen biodiversity inventory as a model for lichen inventories in the tropics

Lücking, R. (1), Sipman, H. J. M. (2), Umaña-Tenorio, L. (3)
(1) The Field Museum, Chicago, USA; (2) Botanisches Museum und Botanischer Garten Berlin-Dahlem, Germany; (3) Instituto Nacional de Biodiversidad, Costa Rica

TICOLICHEN is a large-scale tropical lichen biodiversity inventory combining well-developed local scientific infrastructure with international taxonomic expertise. It forms part of the Costa Rican Sustainable Biodiversity Development Initiative, a collabo-ra-tive effort to unravel Costa Rica's organismic diversity. Thus far, no comprehensive tropical lichen inventory exists, let alone one that meets European and North American standards. Data are scattered throughout often hardly accessible literature, and local herbaria lack representative collections. Yet, such an inventory is urgently needed to properly address tropical lichen diversity and its implications. TICOLICHEN seeks to produce the first comprehensive lichen biota of a tropical region, with an estimated number of 2,000–3,000 species. The results of this project will serve as a model for survey work on lichens in other tropical countries and facilitate studies of tropical lichens beyond taxonomy and biodiversity, such as phylogeny and importance for Ascomycota evolution, biogeography and ecology, role in ecosystem function, use as bioindicators in conservation and land use change, and potential medical and industrial applications based on secondary chemistry. We present a summary of the activities during the first two years since the project started in June 2002. Having completed three field trips with a total number of eleven international and eight local participants, we collected more than 20,000 specimens, most of them deposited at local herbaria. All specimens are databased, and about 95% are determined to genus and 30% to species level. Species identifications are proceeding for individual groups, and selected treatments are published separately. These treatments show an average of 10% new species per group, confirming our initial estimates. Three candidates for new genera have been found. Additional data collected allow analysis of ecological preferences, documented for the first time for many taxa.


Rapid changes in the epiphytic macrolichen flora in southern Sweden

Lättman, H. (1), Mattsson, J.-E.(1), & Milberg, P. (2)
(1) Södertörns högskola, Huddinge, Sweden; (2) Linköpings universitet, Linköping, Sweden

Northern Europe has during the quaternary period also called the ice age been influence of recurrent glaciations. The poor species diversity in this region depends in a great extent upon the latitudinal direction of the Alps, the Carpathians and the Pyreneans. A transfer of the flora and fauna southward is difficult in the beginning of each glaciation. North America versus Northern Europe has high species diversity depending on the Appalachian- and the Rocky Mountains longitudinal position. Thus, a transfer of the flora and fauna southward become simpler than in Northern Europe. Colonization and succession processes still are important factors behind changes in flora and fauna and depend on the last glaciations. Further, the human impact always been important as humans followed the ice edge and since then continuously transformed nature, which to large extent may be regarded as a cultural phenomenon. Thus glaciations together with human impact make fast changes on the nature and on the lichen society. We recorded the macro lichen flora on 22 tree species and lignum on 65 localities in southern Sweden in 1986 and 2003. A multivariate analysis showed that there were highly significant differences between the two years. The results show that Tuckermannopsis chlorophylla, Usnea hirta and Vulpicida pinastri were most abundant 1986 and Hypogymnia tubulosa, Parmelia saxatilis, and Ramalina farinacea were most abundant 2003. The abundance of Parmelia sulcata was almost equal both years.


Genus Peltula Nyl. of Baikalian Siberia

Makry, T. V.
Central Siberian Botanical Gardens, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia

For a long time only two species of the genus Peltula heve been known in Russia. One species, P. euploca (Ach.) Poelt ex Pisut has been reported for Pribaikalye (the area around the Baikal lake). During the last 20 years in Baikalian Siberia (which includes Irkutsk and Chita regions and Buryatia), several species of Peltula, new to this region and to the whole Russia, heve been discovered (Makry, 1987, 1990, 2002, Makryi,1999), including two new ones to Asia: P. omphaliza (Nyl. in Eckf.) Wetm. and P. placodizans (Zahlbr.) Wetm.
The study of the anatomical structure of specimens identified as P. zabolotnoji (Elenk.) Golubk., has assured the author of the fact that it completely corresponds to the diagnosis of P. patellata (Bagl.) Swinsc. et Krog. After comparing the diagnoses of P. patellata and P. zabolotnoji it was found out that they are similar, and a conclusion has been made that they belong to the same species P. patellata [syn. nov.: P. zabolotnoji (Elenk.) Golubk.; Heppia zabolotnoji Elenk.; H. kansuensis H. Magn.].
The study of numerous specimens identified earlier as P. euploca, has shown that the material is not homogeneous and, in addition to a typical form, it contains at least two other forms. The total complex of species P. euploca and P. bolanderi (Tuck.) Wetm. requires a more detailed study.
At present, 8 species of Peltula are known in Baikalian Siberia. P. obscurans (Nyl.) Gyeln., P. omphaliza and P. placodizans occur only in Dauria (SE Zabaikalye). P. obscuratula (Nyl.) Poelt ex Egea is found only in Priolkhonye (the west coast of Baikal), P. petellata in Dauria and Priolkhonye. P. radicata Nyl. is widespread in Dauria, S. Buryatia (epilithic form), also on the Olkhon island, in Priolkhonye and on the Kodar Range (epigeous form). A typical form of P. euploca is common only in arid regions of Dauria and S. Buryatia, its other forms and P. bolanderi occur in mountainous areas (in the lower steepe-forest belt) of Pribaikalye, Zabaikalye and Prisayanye.


Materials for a lichen red-list of the Italian Alps

Martellos, S.(1), Nascimbene, J.(2) & Nimis, P. L.(1)
(1) Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy; (2) Alpine Botanic Garden of the Eastern Alps, CFS – amm. ex ASFD, Belluno, Italy

There is no officially approved red-list of lichens for Italy. 356 infrageneric taxa are proposed for inclusion into a lichen red-list of the Italian Alps, out of a total of ca. 1850 taxa. The list is based on the "rarity" of species in the 9 main bioclimatic belts of Italy. For each belt, the "extremely rare" class was attributed to lichens which are known from less than five stations, and/or were not found in recent times (excluding most recently-described species, and very poorly known taxa). This is the nearest possible approximation to IUCN categories ranging from "critically endangered" to "endangered". The 356 infrageneric taxa can be subdivided into 3 groups, corresponding to decreasing conservation priorities: 1) extremely rare in the Alpine district, absent in the rest of Italy (74 taxa), 2) extremely rare in all of Italy, but present also outside the alpine district (104 taxa), 3) extremely rare in the Alpine district, more common in the rest of Italy (178 taxa ). Most of the species included in the list have either a suboceanic or a subcontinental total distribution.


Lichens in the Red Data Books in Russia

Moutchnik, E. E. (1), Zavarzin, A. A.(2)
(1) All-Russia Institute of nature protection, Moscow, Russia; (2) St.Petersburg State University, St.Petersburg, Russia

The Red Data Books in Russia are functioning as legal documents that name the species protected either in the whole country (in the case of the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation) or at the regional level (by means of regional Red Data Books). Regional Red Data Booking process has started recently but is essential for at the site preservation of species populations including lichens. Nowadays 62 out of 89 regions of Russia (so called "subjects of Federation") compiled and published their regional Red Data Books.
Species of lichens are included into 35 regional and inter-regional Red Data Books covering 40 regions of 924.370 thousand of hectares, i.e. 54,1% of the territory of Russia. The number of protected lichen species varies from 1 in Saratov region to 77 in the Republic of Karelia. Total number of species (subspecies, and varieties) included into Red Data Books is 378, including 85 species demanding "biological monitoring" in Murmansk region. Most of the taxa are categorized in these books as "Rare" or "Data deficient" (according to the system of categories adopted for the Red Data Book for Russian Federation).
Despite the positive trends in lichen conservation a number of serious problems exists. The overall low level of knowledge about lichen diversity of many regions of Russia is clearly visible when comparing lists of lichens and higher plants from the Red Data Books. Along with the lack of modern floristic studies obvious mistakes are not uncommon, and majority of Red Data Books contain data only on macrolichens. The main problem is arising from the lack of detailed description of criteria for assigning lichens to different categories in the Red Data Books. Possible solutions lay in enhancement of regional floristic studies especially in protected areas and adoption of the system of IUCN criteria for analyzing the state of lichen populations prior to compiling Red Data Books.


Epiphytic lichens in the Larix-Pinus cembra formation of the Italian Alps. Conservation issues

Nascimbene, J. (1) & Martellos, S.(2)
(1) Alpine Botanic Garden of the Eastern Alps, CFS, ex ASFD, Belluno, Italy; (2) Dipartimento di Biologia, Università degli studi di Trieste, Trieste, Italy

The present paper analyses the epiphytic lichen flora of the subalpine Larix-Pinus cembra formation of the central-eastern Italian Alps. These woodlands have a scarce economic and selvicultural interest, but they are of great importance in characterising the landscape, and for biodiversity conservation. As other conifers formations of the Alps, they are listed among the EU-interest habitats. A list of 128 infrageneric taxa, sampled in 9 sites, is reported. Nine vegetation types are distinguished. 11 taxa are extremely rare and 8 very rare in the subalpine belt of Italy; 26% of the taxa are exclusive of this belt. A conservation index is proposed, mainly based on: a) presence/absence of rare taxa, b) total number of taxa, c) number of vegetation types, d) presence of species centered in the subalpine belt.


The lichen flora of Povydri and the valley of the brook Hamersky potok (SW Bohemia)

Peksa, O.
Department of Botany, Charles University in Prague, Benatska 2, 128 01 Prague 2, Czech Republic

The lichen flora of a small-scaled protected area Povydri and the valley of the brook Hamersky potok (Sumava National park, SW Bohemia) was investigated during the years 2000-2003. The area located on interface of submontane and montane belt is unique mainly due to occurence of numerous boulder screes covered by relict pine forests.
The survey includes own field exploration as well as bibliographic search and revision of herbarium material.
315 lichen species were found covering about 20 % of the national lichen flora. Four lichen species recorded in the area were not published from the Czech Republic before: Lecidea margaritella, Peltigera neopolydactyla, Rhizocarpon anaperum, R. reductum. Several endagered lichen species are still present, e.g. Evernia divaricata, Lobaria pulmonaria, Nephroma parile, Pannaria pezizoides, Peltigera aphthosa, Sphaerophorus globosus, while some others, abundant in this area in the half of 20th century, were recently not confirmed at all, e.g. Anaptychia ciliaris, Parmelia olivacea, Parmelia quercina, Ramalina baltica. Local relict pine forests are one of the richest localities of some boreal elements, e.g. Cladonia amaurocraea, C. stellaris, in the Czech Republic.


Macrolichens from Sierra de Juárez, Oaxaca, Mexico

Pérez Pérez, R. E. (1) & Herrera-Campos, M. A. (2)
(1) Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, UAEM Av. Universidad 1001, Col. Chamilpa 62210, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico; (2) Instituto de Biología UNAM, Departamento de Botánica, Apdo. Postal 70-233, Coyoacán 04510, México

Lichens have been used in different countries as bioindicators of high value forests for conservation and to identify important biodiversity sites. Mexico is one of countries with major biodiversity in the world (Toledo y Ordóñez, 1993), and Oaxaca is floristically its most diverse state (Rzedowski 1979), however, there are no studies that document the richness and diversity of its lichen flora, fact that has limited the use of this organisms.
90% of Oaxaca's forest surface, is owned by the local indigenous communities, as is the case of the timber-producing and non-timber producing managed and unmanaged pinus-oak forests of Ixtlán de Juárez and Santa María Yavesía, respectively. Comparisons of the epiphytic macrolichen diversity and population structure between both types of forests have increased the knowledge of the lichen richness and indicate that the 95 species of macrolichens represent, approximately 35% of the total of species known for the state. Collections are representative of 31 genera, 11 families, and two orders, and include 47 new records for the state. The most common genera are: Usnea, Hypotrachyna, Cladonia, Parmotrema, Lobaria, Lobariella, and Heterodermia. At the same time, we found genera, such as Lobaria, known to be indicators of old and well preserved forests; as well as rare or endangered species as Punctelia subrudecta, Heterodermia leucomelos, Flavopunctelia flaventior, Teloschistes flavicans and Usnea hesperina (Goward, 1996; Lesher et al., 2000).


Diversity of lichen inhabiting fungi in the Letharietum vulpinae

Persoh, D.
Universität Bayreuth, Lehrstuhl für Pflanzensystematik, Universitätsstraße 30 - NW I, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany

Lichens of the Letharietum vulpinae were screened for inhabiting fungi at six sites in the European Alps, Central Sweden, and California (USA). 1086 fungal strains were isolated from 93 lichen specimens. Because most isolates did not sporulate in culture, they were presorted by morphological characteristics of the cultures and grouped by ITS nrDNA sequence analysis data. Hitherto, 221 ITS sequences were obtained, representing 61 genotypes. For their classification, an alignment of about 800 publicly available high quality sequence data of Ascomycetes was set up and one representative of each ITS genotype of the isolates was added. Parsimony Ratchet and Heuristic Search algorithms were applied for phylogenetic analyses of the alignment.
The resulting trees showed all classes of the Ascomycetes as being monophyletic. The highest number of isolates is located in the Dothideomycetes (30%), followed by the Leotiomycetes (27%), and Chaetothyriomycetes (23%). The sordariomyceteous isolates (7%) were mostly identified as wood inhabiting fungi, cultures of the primary mycobionts (3%) cluster within the Lecanoromycetes, and one member of the Eurotiomycetes was isolated. 8% could not be assigned to any class, because they cluster outside the major clades at class rank. Two of those are found basal to clades containing at least two monophyletic classes.
The majority of dothideomyceteous and leotiomyceteous strains may be assigned to certain orders and/or families, because they cluster among publicly available sequences, which were obtained from identified species. However, one clade basal to the Leotiomycetes consists exclusively of strains isolated from lichens. Moreover, the majority of the chaetothyriomyceteous isolates form exclusive clades at the base of the class. Taking the unclassified strains into account, at least five clades represent entirely new (respectively not yet sequenced) ascomyceteous groups.


The calicioid lichens and fungi of Italy

Puntillo, D. & Puntillo, M.
Università della Calabria, Cosenza, Italy

In Italy little attention was devoted to calicioid lichen and fungi. The present contribution updates and implements the preliminary list presented at the Fourth IAL Symposium of Barcelona in 2000. It includes a list of all species hitherto reported from Italy. Italian distribution maps of all species are presented, and comments about ecology, conservation status and distribution are given.


Distribution patterns in cetrarioid genus Vulpicida

Randlane, T. (1), Saag, A. (1) & Skirina, I. (2)
(1) Institute of Botany & Ecology, University of Tartu, Lai St. 38, 51005 Tartu, Estonia; (2) Pacific Institute of Geography, Radio St. 7, 690041, Vladivostok, Russia

Cetrarioid genus Vulpicida J.-E. Mattsson & M.-J. Lai includes six species: V. canadensis, V. juniperinus, V. pinastri, V. tilesii, V. tubulosus and V. viridis. Three of them (V. canadensis, V. juniperinus and V. viridis) usually bear apothecia and can be considered primary taxa; one (V. pinastri) is a sorediate, i.e. clearly secondary species; two species (V. tilesii, V. tubulosus) lack vegetative propagules (soredia and isidia), and have apothecia only occasionally. Still, they can be included in the group of secondary species as well because they usually grow on the ground and probably distribute by thallus fragmentation.
Among the secondary species, the distribution area of the sorediate V. pinastri is the widest, covering North America, Europe and a major part of Asia. V. tilesii also has rather a wide distribution area in North America and northern Asia (with only a few localities in the very eastern part of Europe). The third "secondary" species, V. tubulosus, has a disjunct distribution area, being found on the Baltic Isles and adjacent territories, and in the alpine regions of Central Europe.
None of the primary species occurs simultaneously in Europe, Asia and North America. Vulpicida juniperinus is distributed in Europe and Asia. V. viridis occurs mainly in the southeastern part of North America, close to the Atlantic coast. Furthermore, the species which has been considered endemic to this area, was recently found also in a few localities of Russian Far East, close to the Pacific coast. V. canadensis is endemic to western North America.
According to current data, the center of biodiversity of the genus Vulpicida lies in the eastern areas of Eurasia. One endemic taxon with restricted distribution area is known from western North America (V. canadensis) and another – from Europe (V. tubulosus).
World-wide distribution maps are presented for all six Vulpicida species (after Mattsson 1993, complemented) as well as for the groups of primary and secondary species separately.
The study was financially supported by the grant 5505 of Estonian Science Foundation.


Lichens as indicators of a land-use intensity gradient in Spain, first results

Rico, V. J. (1) & Fernández-González, F. (2)
(1) Departamento de Biología Vegetal II, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad Complutense, E-28040 Madrid, Spain; (2) Facultad de Ciencias del Medio Ambiente, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, E-45071 Toledo, Spain

The changes in diversity patterns and species composition along a landscape use intensity gradient were investigated in eight European countries within the BioAssess EU project. The countries represent the major biogeographic regions in Europe. In each country, analysis of soil macrofauna, soil Collembola, carabids, plants, lichens, butterflies and birds diversity and of remote sensing data was done in six squared 1 km2 land-use units (LUU), from unmanaged forests (LUU1) to intensively managed arable sites (LUU6). In each LUU, 16 sampling points (SP) were marked at 200 m intervals.
In this presentation we focus on the analysis of the lichen relevés (SP-level) from Spain. The LUUs were selected in the Cabañeros National Park (Ciudad Real, Spain). According to Scheidegger et al. (2002, Monitoring with lichens, NATO Sci. Ser. IV(7): 359-365), 12 collecting sites were randomly selected on a circular area of 1 ha. surrounding each SP. At each collecting site 3 lichen relevés on predetermined substrata of trees, rocks and soil were recorded. All lichens included inside a 50 x 40 cm frequency grid were considered.
In the 96 SP sampled, 238 lichen species were recorded, belonging to 69 genera. Hence more than 10 % of the estimated Spanish lichen flora (c. 2200 species) was captured in the sampling. Total species richness of the SPs varied from 123 (SP 107) to 0 (several SP, among 312 and 604). Saxicolous lichens richness shows the more evident pattern along the gradient, with pronounced differences among the unmanaged forest, the pine managed forest, and also, in a mosaic-like way, the rest of the SPs. Multivariate analyses are in progress to show patterns and correlations in lichen diversity across the gradients.
Acknowledgements. Our thanks to the EU BioAssess project (EVK2-CT1999-00041) and to J. Jiménez (Director of the Cabañeros National Park). VJR also thanks G. Aragón, C. Scheidegger and S. Stofer and the UCM project nº PR3/04-12463.


Genus Caloplaca in Estonia – an example of distributional and ecological diversity

Saag, A. & Randlane, T.
Institute of Botany & Ecology, University of Tartu, Lai St. 38, 51005 Tartu, Estonia

Genus Caloplaca Th. Fr. is represented by 40 species in Estonia. Majority of these taxa are either epilithic (24 species) or epiphytic (11 species); a few species grow on mosses and plant debris (C. ammiospila, C. cerina, C. jungermanniae, C. sinapisperma) and one (C. grimmiae) is lichenicolous. Most of Caloplca species are either very rare (18 species), rare (6) or rather rare (4) in this territory while only two species (C. cerina and C. flavorubescens) are considered very frequent – with more than 50 localities recorded.
Caloplaca species present various distributional patterns in Estonia: (1) distributed only in western islands (e.g. C. alociza, C. coronata, C. crenularia, C. grimmiae, C. herbidella et al.); (2) distributed in western islands and northern and/or western coast (e.g. C. chalybea, C. chrysophthalma, C. lactea, C. scopularis et al.); (3) distributed only on the mainland (C. chrysodeta); (4) distributed all over the territory of Estonia (e.g. C. cerina, C. citrina, C. decipiens, C. flavorubescens, C. holocarpa, C. saxicola, C. vitellinula). 35 Caloplaca species of 40 taxa reported in Estonia occur on western islands (Saaremaa, Muhu, Vormsi etc.). Distribution maps have been compiled for all 40 species as well as the co-incidence map.
Assignment of Estonian Caloplaca species to the geographical elements is presented. Less numerous elements for local lichen flora are, for example: artic-alpine (C. jungermanniae, C. sinapisperma), submediterranean (C. alociza), xerocontinental (C. biatorina, C. chalybea, C. coronata) and suboceanic (C. marina, C. microthallina, C. thallincola, C. verruculifera). All those species occur in Estonia either in western islands only or in western islands and northern and/or western coast of the mainland.
This study is a part of preparing the Atlas of Estonian Lichens which is financially supported by the grant 5823 of Estonian Science Foundation.


Revision of leprarioid microlichens of Greenland

Saag, L. (1), Saag, A. (1), Hansen, E. S. (2) & Randlane, T. (1)
(1) Institute of Botany & Ecology, University of Tartu, Lai St. 38, 51005 Tartu, Estonia; (2) Botanical Museum, University of Copenhagen, Gothersgade 130, DK-1123 Copenhagen K, Denmark

Currently the checklist of lichens and lichenicolous fungi of Greenland (Denmark) includes five Lepraria species (L. arctica, L. frigida, L. lobificans, L. neglecta, L. vouauxii) and Leprocaulon subalbicans. Collections of the genus Lepraria and allied species from Greenland deposited in Botanical Museum, University of Copenhagen (C) have been revised to update this list. Altogether 700 specimens from various localities of Greenland were analysed by means of TLC. Some rare or unusual combinations of secondary compounds (specimens with "reduced chemistry" or chimeric chemotypes) were identified in Lepraria neglecta group.
A number of species new to Greenland (e.g. Lepraria. cacuminum, L. caesioalba) are reported.


Conservation priorities for lichens – a biogeographical and ecological analysis

Schiefelbein, U.
Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Botanical Institute and Botanical Garden, Grimmer Str. 88, 17487 Greifswald, Germany

Because of the high numbers of endangered species and the restrictions of political boundaries, red lists or lists of endemic and rare taxa are insufficient for setting conservation priorities. Therefore conservation value assessments have been developed for numerous organism groups, which take into account taxonomical, chorological, and ecological features. For lichens Serusiaux (1989) has undertaken the first attempt, including biogeographical and ecological criteria in conservation evaluation. Here a method is presented to estimate biogeographical responsibility and conservation relevance for lichen species basing on the approach by Müller-Motzfeld et al. (1997). The biogeographical significance of lichen populations in a defined area is evaluated by means of an analysis of chorological features and risk. Relevant features for chorological evaluation are chorotype, characters of the range section in the considered area, frequency of the species in its main distribution area, developments of the global stock and imperilment of the species in its total area. As a result lichen species are assigned to classes of biogeographical responsibility. For the second step conservation relevance of the lichen species is defined. Criteria taken into account are the sensitivity of the species habitat and ecological features as hemeroby, substrate preference, sensibility against air pollution etc. Furthermore restoration capability of the habitat and causes of threat are estimated.
The presented method is applied to the lichen species Cladonia portentosa
and Pertusaria flavida.
References:
Müller-Motzfeld, G., Schmidt, J. & Berg, Ch. 1997: Zur Raumbedeutsamkeit der Vorkommen gefährdeter Tier- und Pflanzenarten in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. Natur und Naturschutz in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 33: 42-70.
Sérusiaux, E. 1989: Liste rouge des macrolichens dans la Communauté Européenne. Cent. Rech. Lichens, Liège.


Examples for researching lichen diversity as reflected by the Index of Lichen distribution Maps (ILM)

Scholz, P. & Röhring, C.
Unabhängiges Institut für Umweltfragen e.V. Berlin, Germany

The Index of Lichen distribution Maps contains about 40 000 datasets from nearly 2 000 literature sources published within the last 150 years all over the world. Each dataset stands for a published distribution map of a lichenized or lichenicolous or related fungus in taxonomical, floristical or chorological papers as well as in ecological or bioindication studies.
Comparison between continents or selected countries reflects some aspects of lichenological activities over the last decades when more and more maps had been published.
The most often mapped taxa are those epiphytes which have been used for biomonitoring.


Lichens from the Golestan National Park (Iran)

Sohrabi, M.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gorgan University of Agricultural Science and Natural Resource, Iran

This paper is a contribution to a better knowledge of the lichen flora of Iran. It reports reveral species which were found in the Golestan National park (Prov. of Golestan- Gorgan). The survey area is dominated by the Caspian forest, which extends along the southern shore of the Caspian sea from the Talysh region of Azerbaijan to the westernmost boundaries of Khorassan province. The survey area is characterized by a mesic and warm climate; annual precipitation ranges from 600 mm in the east to over 2000 mm in the west (Anzali). Geologically, the rocks belong to the Jurassic limestone's of the Mozduran and Chamanbid formation. Three main localities were explored, located between 400 and 700 m. Lichens were collected on several trees and shrubs (Acer, Crataegus, Cupressus, Ephedra, Juniperus, Parotia, Quercus), on calcareous rocks and soil.
An annotated list of species – several of which are new to Iran – is included.


Lichens in Estonia: a comparison between primeval and harvested forests

Trass, H.
Institute of Botany and Ecology, University of Tartu, 38 Lai Street, 51005 Tartu, Estonia

Studies of lichens in 20 forest sample plots in mainland Estonia between 1994-2002 reveal that lichen flora is locally affected by intensive harvesting. A decrease in canopy cover from 0.8 to 0.3 over a 5-10 years period saw epiphytic lichens – particularly hemerophobic species – decline by 40-70 %. New data on the sensitivity of hemerophobic lichens to human impact suggests a division into three groups: hypersensitive forest lichens (represented in this study by 17 species; selected key species Opegrapha vulgata), mesosensitive species (22 species; Lecanactis abietina) and hyposensitive species (12 species; Ochrolechia androgyna).
Ten criteria (each consisting three grades) were used in this study to assess the floristical and ecological status of the forests (Trass, Vellak, Ingerpuu 1999). Estonia continues to maintain individual stands (20-30 ha) of alluvial, mobile-water swampy and deciduous forests, which scored 25-30 points, indicative of genuine primeval forests. Although some coniferous subtaiga, semiheath, mesotrophic boggy and other commercial forests rarely scored 20-24 points (indicating little human influence), most Estonian forests scored < 20 points, which suggests moderate to strong human impact.
Several programmes have been initiated to preserve Estonian forests and their biota from further degradation. Although these measures should also consider endangered lichens, a recently (2003) published manual of nature conservation made no mention of lichens. Nevertheless, about 100 of ca 860 lichen species and 100 lichenicolous fungi which are native to Estonia need protection.


Lichenology and lichen biodiversity in Estonia

Trass, H.
Institute of Botany & Ecology, University of Tartu, Lai St. 38, 51005 Tartu, Estonia

The research history of Estonian lichen flora can be divided into five periods. (1) Second half of the 18th century – 1860 (Baltic-German naturalists I.B. Fischer, W. Friebe, D.H. Grindel, C.A. Heugel, W.L. Luce, H.A. Dietrich; nearly 100 lichen species were recorded; no special lichenological papers. (2) 1860–1920, A. Bruttan’s and K. Mereschkowsky’s time; B. published a monograph "Lichenen Est-, Liv- und Kurlands" in 1870 (394 taxa described, according to modern taxonomy 461 species), M. compiled a list of lichens of Baltic states in 1913 (516 species). (3) 1920–1940, Finnish biologists studying lichens of Estonia (G. Åberg, L. Kari, K. Linkola, E. Häyren, V. Räsänen); most significant paper "Die Flechten Estlands" I by V. Räsänen was published in 1931 (262 species). (4) 1940–1991, establishing Estonian lichenology, first papers of H. Lippmaa. H. Trass compiled a list of lichens of Estonia in 1970 (677 species). An active lichenological laboratory was formed with a quickly expanding lichen herbarium. Many theses were defended at the Department of Plant Taxonomy and Geobotany (now Institute of Botany and Ecology). (5) 1991Æ. Several new initiations in the field of lichenology have been implemented in independent Estonia. A list of lichenized and lichenocolous fungi (886 species) was published in 1999. A monograph "Macrolichens of Estonia" was published in 1994 and compiling of "Microlichens of Estonia" was finished in 2004 (editors T. Randlane and A. Saag). Many new aspects concerning taxonomy, ecology, and geography are being addressed by the small yet very active team in the lichen laboratory.
At present lichen flora of Estonia consists of 860 lichens and ca 100 species of lichenocolous fungi – a great number considering smallness of Estonia (45 227 km2). Various geo-elements are distinguished in the floristic composition – arctic-alpine (ca 50 species, e.g. Flavocetraria cucullata), hypoarcto-montanous (45, e.g. Arctoparmelia centrifuga), boreal (170, e.g. Evernia divaricata), nemoral (100, e.g. Parmelina tiliacea), submediterranous (10, e.g. Cladonia convoluta), xerocontinental (20, e.g. Squamarina lentigera), submontanous (50, e.g. Thelotrema lepatinum), suboceanic (40, e.g. Leptogium cyanescens), holarctic (100, e.g. Lecanactis abietina), multiregional (125, e.g. Hypogymnia physodes), etc.


LIAS – an online database system for descriptive data of Ascomycetes

Triebel, D. (1), Persoh, D. (2) Nash III, T. H. (3), Zedda, L. (2) & Rambold, G. (2)
(1) Botanische Staatsammlung München, Department of Mycology, Menzinger Straße 67, D-80638 München, Germany; (2) Universität Bayreuth, Lehrstuhl für Pflanzensystematik, Universitätsstraße 30 - NW I, D-95440 Bayreuth, Germany;
(3) School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, P.O. Box 87 4501, Tempe, AZ 85287-4501, U.S.A.

LIAS is a multi-authored database system for descriptive and related biodiversity data on lichens and non-lichenized ascomycetes. It was initiated in 1993 and currently contains about 5,500 species-level and 850 genus level records. Various web interfaces are provided for editing and querying the data. Aside from this major goal, LIAS meanwhile has also gained importance with respect to (a) the general demand for rapid identification of organisms, (b) the demand for geospatial distribution of organisms, and (c) the demand for name pools. To enable covering these aspects, three subprojects LIAS light, LIAS checklists and LIAS names have been initiated.


Diversity and conservation of lichens in Russia: The first checklist of lichens and allied fungi for Russian Zapovedniks

Urbanavichus, G. P. (1) & Urbanavichene, I. N. (2)
(1) Polar-alpine Botanical Garden-Institute, Kirovsk-6, Murmansk reg., Russia; (2) Baikalskii State Nature Biosphere Zapovednik, Tankhoi, Butyatiya Rep., Russia

The first preliminary checklist of lichens, lichenicolous and allied fungi for Russian Zapovedniks (Nature Reserves) is completed*.
The modern network of Russian Zapovedniks embraces all main key territories practically in all biogeographical zones of Russia. 100 reservations existed at the end of 2003 in Russia. They take up about 2 percents of territory of Russia. The lichen checklist of Russian Zapovedniks includes 2015 species, 360 genera and 94 families. It is more than 67 % from lichen species referred for Russia. The dates of verified own herbarium material and literature reports on 84 Zapovedniks are switched in our studies. 32 authors take part in compiling the checklist, having submitted own dates. The nomenclature and taxonomy of the list follow the catalogue of the lichen of Austria by J. Hafellner & R. Türk (2001), and partly the catalogue of the lichen of N. America by T. L. Esslinger (2003). The abbreviations of author names follow P. M. Kirk and A. E. Asell (1992). The list of 1079 synonyms only include names used in the Russian and foreign literature (337 reports) and pertaining to territories of Zapovedniks.
Only in 3 Zapovedniks more than 500 species lichens are detected – more 800 species in Pechoro-Ilychskii (Northern Ural, date of J. Hermansson and colleague), 636 species in Baikalskii (Southern Siberia, own date), 505 species in Kavkazkii (Caucasus, own date). In 11 Zapovedniks more than 300 species lichen is known: Vitimskii (422), Lazovskii (418 – date of Chabanenko), Sikhote-Alinskii (395 – date of Skirina), Teberdinskii (385 – own date and Blinkova), Putoranskii (368), Dzherginskii (321 – date Kharpukhaeva and Urbanavichus), Taimyrskii (319), Kivach (316), Vrangelya Isl. (312), Laplandskii (302 – own date), Baikalo-Lenskii (301).
The compilers would much appreciate additions as well as notification of omissions and shortcomings found in this preliminary list.
* The checklist will be published by the Russian agency IUCN at the end of 2004.

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