The role of lichens, mosses, and vascular plants in the biodeterioration of historic buildings: A review
- Author:
- Cozzolino A., Adamo P., Bonanomi G. & Motti R.
- Year:
- 2022
- Journal:
- Plants
- Pages:
- 11(24): 3429 [19 p.]
- Url:
- https://doi.org/10.3390/plants11243429
Biodeterioration is defined as the alteration of a given substrate due to a combination of
physical and chemical factors produced by living organisms when attached to such materials. This
phenomenon attracts scientific research attention due to its risk in causing destruction to outdoor
cultural rock heritage sites. In this review, an update on the state-of-art regarding the biodeterioration
phenomenon is represented in order to highlight the type of colonizing vegetation and possible
mechanisms behind the corresponding deterioration. For this reason, 62 articles with a focus on
lichens, mosses, and higher plants were investigated by evaluating the role of construction materials
and different plant species related to the hazard index. The results showed that trees and shrubs
are the most harmful plant life forms, for example, Ficus carica, Ailanthus altissima, and Capparis
spinosa, while regarding building materials, those characterized by high porosity, such as andesite
and argillaceous limestone, are more vulnerable to plant colonization. Further studies are needed to
examine in detail the relationship between colonizing organisms, intrinsic elements of the substrate,
and external factors, as well as the refinement of measures to prevent and control colonization
by plants.
Keywords: biodeterioration; monument conservation; higher plants deterioration; biodeteriogenic
plants; hazard index.
- Id:
- 34836
- Submitter:
- zdenek
- Post_time:
- Friday, 09 December 2022 10:32