Anna Guttová

Physiological and chemical response of lichens transplanted in and around an industrial area of south Italy: relationship with the lichen diversity.

The lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. has been exposed for 3 months in and around an industrial area of Mediterranean Italy for monitoring physiological (photosynthetic efficiency, membrane lipids peroxidation and cell membrane integrity) and chemical (bioaccumulation of the heavy metals Cr, Ni, Pb, V and Zn) effects and investigate the consistency with the environmental quality status depicted by the diversity of epiphytic lichens (index of lichen diversity (ILD)). The results showed that thalli transplanted close to the industrial area exhibited early stress symptoms, as revealed by the increase in electrical conductivity indicating a damage endured by lichen cell membranes. The electrical conductivity was inversely correlated with the diversity of epiphytic lichens recorded at the same sites. The ILD negatively correlated also with membrane lipid peroxidation and the rate of accumulation of Pb, V and Zn. Reciprocal correlations found among trace elements pinpointed vehicular traffic and metal processing in the industrial area as main sources. The damage endured by cell membranes was the best physiological indicator consistent with the air quality status depicted by the diversity of epiphytic lichens.

Response of Evernia prunastri to urban environmental conditions in Central Europe after the decrease of air pollution

The epiphytic lichen Evernia prunastri is sensitive to air pollution and reacted by total retreat to the worsening of air quality during the peak of SO2 pollution in Central Europe (1950s- 1990). Since 1990, after a significant decrease in air pollution, epiphytic lichens recolonized previ- ously polluted areas, including E. prunastri. We investigated the physiological status of E. prunastri, transplanted for six months in 34 sites in the urban area of Bratislava (Slovakia) under current con- ditions. The content of chlorophylls, cortical and medullar secondary metabolites and soluble pro- teins were explored. We then examined the relationship of these parameters with the environmental quality status, reflected by the diversity of epiphytic lichens. The results showed that the physiological status of E. prunastri did not change significantly after exposure. Positive correlations were found between lichen diversity in the sampling sites and physiological parameters (photosynthetic pigments and phaeophytinization quotient) in the transplants. Transplants from sampling sites with a greater proportion of nitrophilous lichens displayed a decrease in photosynthetic pigments. Sites where E. prunastri naturally occurred had a lower proportion of nitrophilous species in comparison to sites where E. prunastri was not present. This suggests that the indicator species E. prunastri may also recolonize sites with low eutrophication in urban environments under decreased air pollution, and the information on its presence can help to assess the pressure caused by nitrogen excess.

Revised and updated checklist of lichens of Slovakia (May 2013)

We characterize lichen flora of Slovakia based on the review of recent studies published since 1998, point at selected lichen taxa described for science from this territory and outline main geographical elements and other important groups. We annex critically revised and updated checklist of lichens of Slovakia, which includes 1,628 species. As a result of intensive field work the number of species increased by 142 new species since the last version of checklist published 15 years ago, 26 species were excluded.

Assessment of environmental quality by the diversity of epiphytic lichens in a semi-arid mediterranean area (Val Basento, South Italy)

The results of a bioindication study based on the diversity of epiphytic lichens in a semi-arid area of South Italy are presented. The area features the presence of an industrial zone located in a rural context. The survey was performed in 20 sampling sites. The lichen diversity values (LDV) were determined by the frequencies of all lichen species within a sampling grid placed on tree trunks. Lichens demonstrated a condition of environmental alteration extending to the industrial zone, and tending towards a recovery in the rural surroundings. The survey also showed evidence of eutrophication all over the study area.

Freezing of air-dried samples of the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. ensures that thalli remain healthy for later physiological measurements

Abstract We tested whether freezing of air-dried lichen thalli alter physiological parameters commonly used as valuable stress markers in laboratory and field ecophysiological studies, namely integrity of cell membranes (measured as electrolyte leakage), assimilation pigments (chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, chlorophyll a+b, total carotenoids content), chlorophyll integrity (OD435/OD415) and chlorophyll a fluorescence emission (expressed as F V/F M, the potential quantum yield of primary photochemistry and PIABS, a global indicator of the photosynthetic performance). Thalli of the lichen Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach. were air-dried, stored in the freezer at ca. −18°C under dark conditions and analysed after short-term storage (15, 30 and 90 days). These periods are compatible with the needs of a relatively rapid data evaluation in biomonitoring studies. After freezing, the investigated parameters showed that lichens remained healthy and suitable for later physiological measurements without biasing data quality.

Vitality of the cyanolichen Peltigera praetextata exposed around a cement plant (SW Slovakia): a comparison with green algal lichens

Abstract The suitability of the cyanolichen Peltigera praetextata (Sommerf.) Zopf as indicator of the effects of air pollution around a cement industry was investigated. For this purpose, lichen samples taken from an unpolluted site were exposed for 1–6 months at selected sites (a cement mill, two quarries, inhabited and agricultural sites) in SW Slovakia: physiological parameters and ultrastructural features were examined prior and after exposure. The responses of P. praetextata were then compared with those of the green-algal lichens Evernia prunastri and Xanthoria parietina co-located at the same sites. The performance of the cyanobacterial photobiont of P. praetextata (as reflected by the maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry FV/FM and by the performance index PIABS) was negatively influenced mainly by the length of exposure in the urban and agricultural sites and less by dust pollution around the cement mill and the quarries. A significant increase in membrane lipid peroxidation products reflected the effects of oxidative stresses in all sites. The alteration of the content of water soluble proteins was detected in the samples exposed around the cement mill, while dehydrogenase activity did not show any significant pattern. Similarly to green algal lichens, ultrastructural alterations featured lipid droplets increase, swelling of cellular components, thylakoid degeneration and sometimes plasmolysis, which on the whole gave the cells an aged appearance, especially in the urban and agricultural sites. On the whole, E. prunastri confirmed to be the most sensitive to dust pollution, P. praetextata was likely influenced by microclimatic conditions and habitat eutrophication and X. parietina was the most resistant. When compared with green-algal lichens, P. praetextata was not the best indicator of the effects of cement dust pollution.

Functional and morphological traits of epiphytic lichens in the Western Carpathian oak forests reflect the influence of air quality and forest history

Abstract We analysed a dataset composed by the frequency of 79 epiphytic lichens recorded on 243 oaks distributed in 29 oak dominated stands of the Western Carpathians, representing areas with high environmental quality up to disturbed environments. Lichen diversity indices (based on total frequencies and on functional and morphological groups) were used as indicators of the response to air quality and forest management. The level of air quality in these categories was a function of NOx, SO2 and particulate matter. From management viewpoint the units were classified as managed (areas subjected to periodic logging) and semi-natural (which currently have the status of National Nature Reserve and where eventual management practices date back to the history). The results showed that higher environmental levels of pollution were associated to the decrease of fruticose and in general pollution sensitive species, while low environmental levels of pollution were associated to the diffusion of common nitrophilous lichens as well as to a higher share of fruticose and in general pollution sensitive species. As far as forest management is concerned, a higher share of fruticose and sensitive species was associated to semi-natural and natural stands, whereas a higher share of foliose (pioneer and tolerant) species was associated to the managed stands.