Epiphytic lichens of the sacred natural site “Bosco di Sant’Antonio” (Majella National Park – Abruzzo)

By

Nascimbene, Juri
Di Cecco, Valter
Di Martino, Luciano
Frascaroli, Fabrizio
Giordani, Paolo
Lelli, Chiara
Vallese, Chiara
Zannini, Piero
Chiarucci, Alessandro

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2019-6-11

Original Publication

Biodiversity data journal

Volume

7

Pages

149--156

Subjects

Conservation , forest lichens , lichen red-list , Lobaria pulmonaria , old-growth stands

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Sofia Pensoft Publishers [2013]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/italianbotanist.7.34639

 

Abstract

Sacred Natural Sites are relevant for biodiversity conservation, as in the case of forest sites that, across centuries, developed old growth structures and are now crucial for the conservation of epiphytic lichens and other specialized forest organisms. In this study, we investigated the epiphytic lichen flora of a small forest patch included in the Majella National Park (Abruzzo), whose old growth features and naturalness reflect its long lasting spiritual role that perfectly fits with the concept of Sacred Natural Site. Results revealed that the “Bosco di Sant’Antonio” hosts a rich and interesting epiphytic lichen flora, thus indicating the potential of this Sacred Natural Site for lichen conservation. Fifty-six species were found including two species newly recorded in Abruzzo, two red-listed species, and the sensitive species Lobariapulmonaria. This study corroborates the hypothesis that sacred forest sites are relevant for the conservation of specialized epiphytic lichens. In particular, in the Italian forest landscape where old-growth stands are practically absent, sacred forest sites may provide unique old-growth structures and buffer anthropogenic disturbance.