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Exploring causes of the decline of the lichen Lecanora conizaeoides in Britain: effects of experimental N and S applications

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 September 2009

A. C. MASSARA ,
J. W. BATES  and
J. N. B. BELL
A. C. MASSARA
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
J. W. BATES*
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
J. N. B. BELL
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, Silwood Park Campus, Ascot, Berkshire, SL5 7PY, UK
*
Email: j.bates@imperial.ac.uk
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Abstract

The crustose lichen Lecanora conizaeoides has declined markedly around London with progressively diminishing sulphur dioxide pollution of the air since the 1960s. To identify the immediate causes of its decline, we applied S in the form of bisulphite (0·2 & 2 mM) and sulphate (2 mM), and N as nitrate (2 mM) to relict colonies of the lichen on beech trunks in a plantation in Windsor Forest. Growth of the lichen was monitored by estimating changes in percentage cover. By the end of a 25-month period of two-weekly treatments, all the chemical treatments had resulted in significant decreases in cover of L. conizaeoides compared to distilled water controls, with the 2 mM bisulphite causing the greatest loss. Bark surface pH was also lowered by the chemical treatments, but most by the 2 mM bisulphite applications. Similar results were obtained in two laboratory experiments where the nutrient applications were repeated under a controlled environment and thallus area monitored photographically. No evidence was obtained to support the hypothesis that growth of L. conizaeoides is stimulated by an elevated sulphur supply. We conclude that the disappearance of the lichen is linked to gradual increase in bark pH caused by the combined effects of a marked reduction in SO2 emissions and rising emissions of NH3.

Keywords

epiphyteslichenspollutionSO2NOxNH3
Type
Research Article
Information
The Lichenologist , Volume 41 , Issue 6 , November 2009 , pp. 673 - 681
Copyright
Copyright © British Lichen Society 2009

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