Effekter av naturvårdsgallring på förekomsten av lunglav på ädellövträd | Effects of conservation thinning on the presence of epiphytic lichen Lobaria pulmonaria on broad leaved deciduous trees
2015
Björkroth, Jennie
Sun-exposed broad leaved deciduous trees have a great species diversity of epiphytic lichens. In Europe, these trees have decreased dramatically in number as wooded pastures have become overgrown with trees and bushes, and broad leaved deciduous stands have been replaced by planted coniferous trees. These are the main reasons for many lichens depending on deciduous trees being red-listed. Epiphytic lichens in overgrown areas could benefit from conservation thinning, but few studies have been performed on how this type of cutting affects the lichens. In a previous study, the presence of red-listed epiphytic lichens in a broad leaved deciduous forest was examined. After the study, thinning of trees and bushes was made. Here we study the effects of this thinning on Lobaria pulmonaria. We tested possible factors that may affect the growth of L. pulmonaria, and if there were any differences in incidence and vitality of the lichen between managed and unmanaged stands. Since Dutch elm disease and ash dieback are well spread in the area, we wanted to see if they also affected the growth of L. pulmonaria. There were no differences in incidence and growth between managed and unmanaged stands. The results were unexpected since other studies show that, for instance, increased sun exposure often has a great effect on the growth of lichens. Many elms and ashes were dead or dying and had a significant negative effect on the change of number of lobes and the lobe surface. The diseases of the trees can thus be assumed to be the greatest cause of why the lichens in the managed stand did not benefit from thinning.
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