Some data about epiphytic lichens in wooded meadows of Estonia
2005
Leppik, E.(University of Tartu (Estonia). Inst. of Botany and Ecology)E-mail:[email protected] | Saag, L.(University of Tartu (Estonia). Inst. of Botany and Ecology)
Wooded meadows as man made semi-natural habitats were very characteristic to Estonian cultural landscape about 65 years ago. Today only 0.1% of the former area of wooded meadows is being maintained. For better understanding of the biodiversity of these habitats a lichen study was carried out in 15 wooded meadows in Estonia. Altogether 192 lichen species (including lichenicolous and allied fungi) were identified, that is 19% of the total number of these species in Estonia. Wooded meadows are one of the lichen richest habitats in Estonia. On average 52 epiphytic lichen species per wooded meadow were registered, the biggest number of species was 68 and the smallest 38. On average 37 lichen species per tree species were registered, while common oak was the richest in species (97). The lichen floras of wooded meadows are influenced by location of the wooded meadow, by abundance of tree species with neutral bark and by the number of different tree species. The lichen floras of the trees are also influenced by the diameter of the tree. The lichen floras of 'neutral' (e.g. ash and aspen) and 'acidic' (e.g. conifers) trees are different and there is difference also between their average species richness. The lichen flora of a tree is similar on every side of the tree. In general, the most important tree species for lichens in wooded meadows is common oak and the conifers are of lesser importance. The value of the wooded meadows as a habitat for lichens is high; therefore they have to be preserved.
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