Morpho‑anatomical variations of Parmotrema pilosum (Parmeliaceae, Ascomycota) in fragmented forests of central Argentina: relationship between forest cover and distance to crops
- Author:
- González Argüello G., Filippini E. & Machado A.S.
- Year:
- 2023
- Journal:
- Environmental Science and Pollution Research
- Pages:
- 30: 1795–1805
- Url:
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-22241-3
Forest vegetation is key for bufering microclimatic factors and regulating atmospheric deposition. Epiphytic lichens are
sensitive to these factors and can indicate the overall health status of the ecosystem. Specifcally, the analysis of morphoanatomical variations allows us to understand the degree of tolerance or sensitivity of these organisms exposed to agricultural crops and how vegetation might bufer this response. We analyzed variations in vegetative and reproductive characters
and injuries in thalli of Parmotrema pilosum as a response to distance to crops and forest cover. The study was conducted
in forest patches of the Espinal in central Argentina, an ecosystem threatened by agricultural activity. We selected 10 sites
with diferent forest cover areas and two collection points difering in distance to crops: sites adjacent to (0 m) and far from
(150 m) crops. We collected fve thalli from each collection point and analyzed variations in morpho-anatomical characters
at macro- and microscopic levels. We found a lower number of algae and a higher proportion of simple cilia in individuals at
points adjacent to crops. At points with low forest cover, a thinner upper cortex was observed, whereas at points with greater
forest cover, an increase of necrosis and greater presence of apothecia were detected. Bleaching was the most frequent injury
at sites adjacent to crops, decreasing with increasing forest cover. Conservation and reforestation of Espinal forest patches
would promote the propagation of lichens afected by agricultural practices.
Keywords: Espinal · Bleaching · Necrosis · Upper cortex · Forest vegetation, Agricultural.
- Id:
- 34940
- Submitter:
- zdenek
- Post_time:
- Saturday, 07 January 2023 23:47