Islands of lichen diversity in urban environments: a hidden richness in botanical gardens

By

Fačkovcová, Zuzana
Spagli, Giorgia
D'Antraccoli, Marco
Roma-Marzio, Francesco
Peruzzi, Lorenzo
Paoli, Luca
Guttová, Anna

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2024-12-27

Original Publication

Comparative cytogenetics : international journal of plant & animal cytogenetics, karyosystematics and molecular systematics

Volume

18

Pages

245--258

Subjects

Biodiversity , Botanic Garden of Pisa , epiphytic lichens , species conservation , Tuscany

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

St. Petersburg, Russia [Published] with technical support of Zoological Institute RAS [2007]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/italianbotanist.18.144373

 

Abstract

Botanical gardens in city centres are green islands, offering a sanctuary for diverse plant and fungal species amidst urban landscapes. Although lichens are not usually a primary focus in botanical gardens, these spaces can serve as important refuges. In this work, the epiphytic lichen biota has been investigated in the Botanic Garden of Pisa, to uncover the hidden elements of biodiversity of botanical gardens in terms of non-target organisms. A total of 57 epiphytic lichen taxa and one non-lichenized fungus were recorded, including several threatened species. Two species, Arthopyrenia platypyrenia and Coenogonium tavaresianum, are new records for Tuscany, while Lecania cyrtellina is so far known in the region as occurring only in the Botanic Garden of Pisa. Lichen colonization reflects the richness of tree species, while the diffused presence of nitrogen-tolerant lichens could be associated with urban environmental conditions. Comments on Arthopyrenia platypyrenia, Coenogonium tavaresianum, Gyalecta liguriensis, Lecania cyrtellina, Lecanographa amylacea, Micarea misella, Porina borreri, and Waynea stoechadiana are given.