Microclimatic Alteration after Logging Affects the Growth of the Endangered Lichen <i>Lobaria pulmonaria</i>

Abstract

Microclimatic conditions are important in determining lichen distribution at small scale, and may determine whether the species persist when the surrounding environmental conditions have drastically changed. This is the case with forest management, since a sudden variation of microclimatic conditions (increase of solar radiation, temperature, wind and a reduction of humidity) may occur after logging. In this study, the combined effect of forest logging and microclimatic conditions on the growth probabilities and growth rates of the model species Lobaria pulmonaria was assessed in mixed oak stands. To this purpose, 800 fragments of L. pulmonaria (L. pulmonaria populations in logged forests.

Keywords

• conservation
• epiphytic lichens
• forest management
• growth rates
• microclimate
• translocation