Effects of air pollutants on Ecology, Morphology and Reproduction of four lichen species.

CECILIA ESTRABOU; LAURA STIEFKENS; MIRIAM HADID; JUAN MANUEL RODRIGUEZ

Olmué, Chile

Congreso; V Encuentro del Grupo Latinoamericano de Liquenólogos (GLAL5).; 2001

The effects of contamination on morphological and reproductive parameters of four lichen species in two urban areas and a control site were studied. The four lichen species studied have all been previously identified as tolerant, resistant and sensitive to air pollution respectively. In Ramalina celastri, a sensitive species, darkening and reduction of thallus size, the presenceof particulate matter and necrotic areas are some of the visible effects of air pollution. Physciaendochrysea, a resistant species, only shows minor changes in polluted areas. In resistant species, the fertility rate  shows a marked reduction in polluted areas. In Canomaculina pilosa, a tolerant species, a reduction in thallus size and darkening of both the thallus and soredia is evident.Necrotic areas are particularly obvious with this species as well. Physcia undulata exhibits the fewest alterations and greatest growth in urban areas. The most variable feature was the thickness  in the upper and the lower cortex. Algae number measured in lacunae along with he fertility index resulted good indicators.