LZ Lichens cnt ENG 190914.indd

Each northerner has ever met these amazing and low-maintenance plants while walking in forests or mountain
areas. Real early adopters – lichens are growing everywhere – on ground, stones, old windfall trees and branches.
Lichens
Here and there they form such a continuous cover that
it is impossible to make a step not feeling them under foot
(picture 1).
Lichens have various forms – they can look like all kinds
of spots and crust on stones, laced small shrubs forming vast
carpets and mats on soil, or aggregation of miniature “cubes”
sticking all over old stubs and dead woods. Many types of lichens are hanging in form of thin pale-green or dark-brown
locks from tree branches or inhabit fir or pine branches organized as various blades, flakes and warts; often they cover moss
hummocks or moss-covered boulders and trunk bases by large
fine laminas. Color range is abundant – lichens can be gray
and plain but more often than not they are of a bright-yellow
or orange colors, from oxide to bright-red shades. Green or
snow-white lichens are encountered, sometimes they are of
all kinds of shades or dark-brown, almost black.
So what are they – these exotic organisms – lichens?
Whereas during many centuries and even millennia people have been knowing hundreds of trees, grasses and shrubs
types surrounding them everywhere and widely used for production of food, as raw materials for textile manufacturing
and as construction material, for a long time scientists didn’t
understand the nature of these organisms. It is not for nothing that one of the most prominent Russian plants physiolo-
Picture 1
Cladonia stellaris
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes
of the Lapland reserve
1
Lapland state nature biosphere reserve
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
gists K.A. Timiryazev called lichens “plants – sphinxes”. Lichens
were related either to algae, or to fungi and even to mosses
(people except specialists-botanists are still keep on calling
them as mosses); it was a period when they were identified as
a separate taxonomic group Lichenes. So what is so complicated with them? The point is lichen being as a single organism
is a unique natural phenomenon. Several completely different organisms are coexisting within it ensuring thus survival
of each other. Most frequently such a partnership is formed
by a mushroom and an alga (normally a green or rarely a bluegreen bacteria – cyanobacterium), but sometimes three or
even four compounds can be met. But a body of one lichen
type is always represented by a single mycobiont (fungus),
the rest are photobionts (algae and/or cyanobacteria). Therefore before manufacturing of powerful microscopes scientist
were not capable to identify lichens’ nature. Modern science
systematics does still place lichens into the kingdom of fungi because a vital function – reproduction – is still ensured
by a fungus component – mycobiont. Due to this reason one
of the modern names of lichens used in scientific literature
is lichenezed fungi.
It is widely known that fungi are heterotrophic organisms,
i.e. they are able only to consume organic matters (feeding
on it). But a lichen as a single organism however is being an
autotrophic one as it lives on organic matters which are produced by it independently. This is explained by the fact that
lichen except a fungus partner includes an alga partner – photobiont as well which can perform photosynthesizing in light
conditions and produce organic matters used for life sustaining of a photobiont itself and mycobiont too. These symbiotic
relations of a fungus and an alga provide an opportunity to
the whole organism to live on an autotrophical basis. Modern scientists are pretty familiar about mechanisms and nature of the mutual sustainable partnership. We can specify
that lichen’s body which part is visible by us (called thallus)
is an outer shell formed by a fungus compound covering internal algae layer (protected by fungus hyphae from extreme drying and aggressive environmental factors). Feeding of lichens
as autotrophic organisms is ensured by photobiont synthesis
for which lichen requires only sunlight and moisture available
via an outer (fungus) membrane of lichen absorbing it from atmosphere (these are rain drops, mist and simply saturated air).
Lichens are pioneers digesting life environments free from
other plants and are recognized to be one of the most ancient
plant bodies on land emerged in a period when stable relations started to be formed between the first ground algae (or
cyanobacteria) and fungi. The first more or less documented
discoveries of fossil thallomes most probably belonging to lichens are of the early Devonian (about 480 million years ago)
and even of the Pre-Cambrian age (almost 600 million years).
Totally there are more than 23 thousand types of lichens
are known all over the world. They are expanded across
the whole land from polar deserts to tropical forests. Herewith lichens can be so unpretentious that grow there where
the other plants just are not able to live – in extremely severe polar and high-mountain deserts covered by permanent
Picture 2
Ophioparma ventosa
Picture 3
Cetraria islandica
Picture 4
Lichen desert
2
ABCGheritage – Our common arctic heritage
A lichen as a single organism however is being
an autotrophic one as it lives on organic matters
which are produced by it independently.
Picture 6
Rhizocarpon geographicum
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
Picture 5
Mosaic of crustose epilithic lichens
snows, where there is no summer and only stones and cliffs
exposed to winds can stay open. Three quarters of all lichens
types – are almost microscopic organisms which are impossible to study without being equipped with special optical tools.
The majority of lichen types inhabiting northern latitudes are
very slow-growing, during one year they can grow up only for
0.1–2 mm, rarely for 3 mm. Therefore they cannot compete
with fast-growing mosses and other higher plants. But the crucial role of lichens consists in being early colonists of lifeless
mineral ground, bare stones, boulders and cliffs gradually destructing their surface and preparing it in this manner for more
soil demanding higher plants.
Despite their slow growth some lichens on long live stable
conditions for several hundreds of years or even 1–2 thousand
of years can reach huge dimensions up to 1–2 m in diameter
(рicture 2).
Considerable biomass of ground lichens is presented in so
called white mosses forests (picture 4) which are to be named
correctly as lichenous forests. In some subalpine forests total
biomass of all lichens layers (including growing on trees) can
reach more than 1.5 tonne per 1 hectare, herewith assimilatory
surface area of all thallomes amounts 0.1–0.7 million square
meters.
The biggest share in constitution of a vegetation cover of lichens is encountered in the northern countries, especially in tundra where biomass of them is even increasing
at times a biomass of all the rest plants put together. Here
they often serve as a main feeding type for reindeers – a small
group of species even has received a name “reindeer lichen”
or “reindeer moss” (these are species of Cladonia genus
Cladonia – Cladonia sylvatica C. arbuscula s. l., C. rangiferina,
C. stellaris etc.). Numerous insects or their slugs, acarians, various mollusks and even crustaceans don’t mind to eat lichens,
moreover, some of them switch to obligatory lichens feeding.
In winter period lichens become a main feed even for monkeys
in mountainous southern provinces of China. Lichens don’t
only constitute a ration of animals. Thus residents of China
and Japan consider some lichen species to be a true delicacy
(for example, Umbilicaria esculenta).
Some species of lichens are applied for medical purposes. For example, Cetraria islandica (picture 3), common on
northern forests and tundra and is widely known as Iceland
moss, is used for treating different catarrhal diseases (is simply
prepared as a simple water brew). Some lichen acids possess
mild and antiseptic features produced by life activity processes
of a range of other lichen species as for example genus Usnea
and Bryoria.
Lichens don’t play only feeding role in wild nature. Some
species of birds and small forest animals, for example, chaffinch, dotterel, squirrels are building their nests using lichens.
Being endurable to the most disadvantageous conditions of life environment and having lived during millions
of years lichens frequently turn out to be absolutely helpless in the modern and rapidly changing worlds especially
when encountered dangers human activities. Deforestation,
extraction of commercial minerals, atmospheric pollution
3
Lapland state nature biosphere reserve
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
by numerous plants and factories emissions – these are
the main reasons of decline and disappearance of many lichen
species populations. Extremely aero-anthropogenic emissions
lead to formation of anthropogenic lichen deserts located
in the most polluted areas – it means areas where lichens are
completely dying off. That is why it is very important to carry
out timely examination and p reserve of lichens particularly
on the territories where low-disturbed or innocent natural
complexes are still alive.
Lichens flora of the Murmansk region is being examined for
more than one hundred fifty years. And only the recently published catalogue of lichen species, lichenphil fungi and connatural nonlichenphil fungi summed up the latest results of these
examinations. Nowadays lichen flora of the Murmansk region
consists of more than 1200 species relating to more than 300
genera and more than 90 families.
The biggest variety of lichens is noticed in western, central
and southern zones of the region – in bio-geographical provinces Pechenga Lapland, Tuloma Lapland, Imandra Lapland,
Kuusamo, Keret Karelia.
The same as in the majority of northern regions the biggest
part of lichen species found in the Murmansk region possess
vast circumpolar and circumboreal areals – more than 70 %
of species are widely ranged in the Northern hemisphere.
As for locally distributed species – nowadays there are totally about 50 species in Russia originating from the Murmansk region. Quite a big amount of lichens – 35 was described
(i.e. typical location – locus classicus) from the Kola peninsula. However a significant part of them was afterwards found
in many regions of the earth. For example, Peltigera ponojensis described from Ponoy river at the present moment is well
known within the Northern hemisphere up to subtropical
regions. Areal of Phaeophyscia kairamoi described from
the same place (described in honor of a Finnish scientist Kairamo) today ranges up to tropical latitudes. Such species as
Caloplaca phaeocarpella and Protothelenella sphinctrinoidella described from the Kola peninsula shores are encountered
even in Antarctica.
Variety and abundance of lichen flora directly depend
on range borders of their inhabitation places and ecotopes
available for lichens to live on. Therefore areas with large
mountain ranges and well-developed zonality are the most
favorable conditions for formation of natural rich lichen flora.
On the other hand, to maintain such a rich and diverse lichen
flora stability and continuity of life environment conditions
are crucially required along with absence of negative anthropogenic effects. Such conditions are possible only within specially protected natural areas, the best suited regime for that
purposes is fully provided in the state natural reservеs.
The Lapland reserve is one of the best examined in terms
of lichen flora abundance on the territory of the Murmansk
region. Despite a considerable period of reserve existence
special lichen flora related researches was started here only in
2003. But from that date more than 600 species (it is more
than one half of the whole species composition of the lichen
flora in the Murmansk region) were found on the territory of
Picture 7
Arctoparmelia centrifuga
Picture 8
Epiphytic lichens on the branches of shpruce
Picture 9
Nephroma arcticum
4
ABCGheritage – Our common arctic heritage
the reserve, more than 70 species turned out to be absolutely
new ones, more than a dozen of types were found in Russia
for the first time, 1 species, 1 species Candelariella aggregate –
was found for the first time in Eurasia (previously it was encountered only in the Northern America).
The Lapland reserve occupies the third place in Russia for
species richness found in reserves after Pechera-Ilychsky (approximately 880 species) and Baikal reserve (almost 720 species). To estimate how rich is lichen flora of the Lapland reserve
it can be compared with more or less examined territories. For
example, the same amount of species is known on Spitsbergen archipelago, in Lithuania and in the Republic of Belarus,
significantly less in the eastern part of the Leningrad region,
the Nizhny Novgorod region and the whole Central Black Earth
Region.
Picture 10
Chaenotheca gracillima
Picture 11
Bryoria fuscescens
Picture 12
Cladonia deformis
While estimating ecologic and geographic peculiarities
of the lichen flora found at the reserve up to the present moment the following is worth mentioning. Approximately one
half of all species known in the Lapland reserve is collected
from stony substrate, the rest ones – from ground, mosses,
plant residues or trees substrate. Thus we are underlining
a principal importance of stony substrate for formation
of the Lapland reserve lichen flora. And indeed – almost every
stone seen in forests or tundra is practically always covered
with several lichen species (picture 5). The most important
factor for lichen development is that a stone shall be immovable during several years.
The most popular among epilithic types are lichens of crustaceous life form – organized as a thin crust or film overgrowing surface of stones. One of the most wide spread species
in the reserve as well as in the other areas of the Murmansk
region is a very polymorphous lichen Rhizocarpon geographicum (picture 6), which is forming a complicated pattern
made of yellowish-greenish spots with black points and lines
on stones surface resembling at times geographic maps. Frequently in forests and mountains one can see an amazing
pattern made of almost Giotto’s O on large boulders and
on cliffs – this is a way Arctoparmelia centrifuga is growing out
(picture 7).
In conditions of northern taiga, severe climatic conditions
and poor enough species composition of forests and shrubs
species abundance of epiphytic (inhabiting trees) lichens are
not large. Common epiphytic lichens are richer and more
diversified in southern and moist mountain countries or oceanic costs. Spruce forests near watercourse and hillsides are
more or less rich in lichens. The most widespread epiphytic
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
The majority of lichen types inhabiting northern
latitudes are very slow-growing, during one year
they can grow up only for 0.1–2 mm, rarely for 3 mm.
They cannot compete with fast-growing
mosses and other higher plants.
5
Lapland state nature biosphere reserve
fo
ar
Fo
on
Li
in
in
po
co
re
pr
us
fo
tio
to
V
ha
fo
sp
riv
ci
1–
lic
bo
ce
ge
sp
an
an
co
da
of
lic
fo
of
fir
m
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
Picture 13
Elnyun: lichen tundra of Flavocetraria nivalis
lichens are represented, for example, by Hypogymnia physodes,
Parmelia sulcata, Platismatia glauca (picture 8). Nephroma
arcticum (picture 9) is often encountered in moist green moss
forests on ground, moss-covered mounds, stones or windfalls.
Nearby the western root of the Ruapnun mountain
(south-western part of Chuna tundra), in spruce forests
on old European aspens bodies rare nemoral species Lecanora rugosella and Pertusaria sommerfeltii (var. melanostoma)
are inhabitant, found only for the second time at the territory
of the Murmansk region. Old European aspens bodies in quite
warmed up and moist spruce forests are a kind of special conductors of southern lichen species into the northern forests
(up to the border of the northern taiga and forest-tundra).
This emphasizes an importance (repeatedly mentioned by foreign lichenologists and ecologists) of these habitats for expansion of rare lichen species and requirement to preserve old
European aspens in the northern forests.
er
hi
fo
ca
fo
Picture 14
Rocks under the slopes Seidapakhta mountain
with rare calciphilic species of lichens
6
ABCGheritage – Our common arctic heritage
m
N
st
of
Lo
an
(w
re
preferring rich calcium-containing rocks (otherwise called calcicoles) were found. One area is located nearby Saidlucht gulf
along the northern coast of Chunozero lake in a mountain area
Saidnotlag of the southern Chuna tundra hillside – approximately from Kupletsky stream to Raikor stream. The second
area is located at northern spurs of Monche tundra, near the
southern coat of Vaikis lake, slightly west of stream Chingils-corr entry.
High abundance and specificity of mountain area Saidnotlag lichen flora, almost 200 species of lichens were identified
at the total area of approximately 2 square kilometers (almost
1/3 of all lichen species of the reserve on area smaller than
the area of the reserve in more than 1000 times), let separating a specific lichens flora complex in this zone.
Some species of lichens are applied
for medical purposes. Some lichen acids
possess mild and antiseptic features
produced by life activity processes.
Large yields of main calcium-containing rocks (picture 14),
old spruce forests and clumps of old European aspens on cliffs,
hillside of the southern exposition (one of the warmest in
the reserve), large water basin of Chunozero lake – all of these
creates a special microclimate suitable for growth of lichens
beyond the Polar circle which areals are typically located
in mountains of more southern latitudes. Many species of Lichinaceae family are found here and not identified in the other
zones of the reserve.
Southern and east-southern hillsides of Seidapachta
mountain is a place where rare lichens species are encountered
including Psora rubiformis (picture 15), Psorula rufonigra, Rhizoplaca melanophthalma (was met for the first time at the territory of the Murmansk region) and etc.
Under canopies of European aspens on cliffs among wild
strawberry underbrushes quite rare moisture-loving species
of Nephroma genus – Nephroma bellum, Nephroma. parile,
Nephroma resupinatum, Nephroma helveticum (the latter
in included into the Red List of the Murmansk region). European aspens bodies are inhabitant by rare for North lichen
species Melanohalea exasperate (included into the Red List of
the Murmansk region), Melanohalea exasperatula, Phaeophyscia ciliata.
The other valuable area in terms of lichen flora abundance
at Vaikis lake is a small complex of cliff walls containing calcium and located about 50 m form lake’s coast at the elevation
from 30 to 70 m above water level. Although areas with higher calcium concentrations are not marked along the whole
length of cliff walls but in the part closer to Chingils-corr
stream entry. Also a small cliff area containing some amount
of calcium salts is located in the valley of the Chingils-corr
stream itself, in about 200 m upstream.
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
So called Calicium lichens are often found in old spruce
forests or woody cores of old spruce stubs, these lichens
are rare species for the other areas of the Murmansk region.
For example, Chaenotheca gracillima (picture 10) is found
on the western shore of Elyavr lake and included into the Red
List of the Murmansk region. Among the main factors preventing a broad distribution of these rare and sensible to changes
in microclimatic conditions species are deforestations, fires,
pollution of atmosphere by industrial discharges, etc. In many
countries of the European boreal zone Calicium lichens are
recognized to be indicators of long term non-disturbed (approximately 100–150 years) old age forestland and actively
used in monitoring deforestation and p reserve of virgin boreal
forests.
However spruce forests are not always favorable conditions for epiphytic lichens. For example at territories subjected
to atmospheric pollution by “Severonikel” plant, in river basins
Vite, Kurkenyok, Elnunvuoy so typical for other reserve areas
hanging species of genera Alectoria and Bryoria are almost not
found. These forests are extremely lacking of ground lichens
species. Far from discharges, for example, in a valley of Mavra
river in pine and spruce-pine forests epiphytic Bryoria species are abundant (picture 11) and some specimen can reach
1–2 meters length.
Generally pine forests are not so abundant with epiphytic
lichens as spruce forests are. It is related to their disturbance
both by industrial harvestings in the 1950’s of the previous
century and fires which caused formation of relatively homogeneous young shrub-green moss pine forests. For example,
specially performed lichen flora researches in a valley of Suanlaguay river (affluent of Chuna river) practically didn’t add
anything new in terms of new discoveries to what has been
collected from other areas of the reserve.
At the same time pine forests are common home to abundant ground (epigenic) lichens whereas total species wealth
of lichens in these forests remains not high. Thus well-known
lichen pine forests oк white moss pine forests are normally
formed by a small set of lichens of Cladonia genus. These types
of forests are generally formed after tens of years from recent
fires. Сommon species Cladonia deformis (picture 12) can be
met practically always in such kinds of pine forests.
Rich abundance of epigenic lichens is natural in the northern and mountainous regions due to lack of competition from
high plants side. Therefore lichen tundras most frequently
formed by species Flavocetraria nivalis and Alectoria ochroleuca (picture 13) are developed high in the mountains above
forest elevation.
Despite general pretty homogenous vegetation and climatic conditions of the Lapland reserve (that is natural for
North) dramatic contrasts of geomorphological conditions
stipulate significant differences in habitus and composition
of lichen flora from the different areas of the Lapland reserve.
Local specificity of lichen flora is expressed in the most striking
and specific manner near main rocks containing calcium salts
(which are rarely encountered at the territory of the Murmansk
region). Two such areas with a high lichens concentration
7
Lapland state nature biosphere reserve
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
Picture 15
Species enlisted in the Red Book Psora rubiformis
Picture 18
Bryoria fremontii
Picture 16
Lichenomphalia hudsoniana
Picture 19
Alectoria ochroleuca
Picture 17
Lobaria pulmonaria
Picture 20
Flavocetraria nivalis
8
ABCGheritage – Our common arctic heritage
Picture 21
Cladonia macroceras
This area is valuable predominantly because of concentration of a huge amount of rare and lichen species unique for
lichen flora of the elevation and the Murmansk region. The following lichen species were encountered here for the first
time: Arctoparmelia subcentrifuga (included into the Red List
of the Murmansk region), Dermatocarpon miniatum, Diplotomma nivale, Physconia perisidiosa, Placynthium asperellum,
Placynthium nigrum, Stigmidium conspurcans and etc., and
a lot of rare species previously known by singular discoveries
in the reserve (for example, Leproplaca obliterans, Physconia
muscigena, Ramalina pollinaria, Rhizoplaca melanophthalma
etc). Moreover upper cliffs exposed to south and south-west,
i.e. exposed to sunlight is inhabitant by rare species Psora rubiformis, Psorula rufonigra and Spilonema revertens (the latter
two are found in the Saidnotlag mountain area), Pertusaria
amara and others.
Picture 22
Cetrariella delisei
Picture 23
Thamnolia vermicularis
In terms of discoveries lichen flora complex of Vaikis lake
resembles much what was found in the Saidnotlag mountain
area. Although a range of species found in the Saidnotlag
mountain area is still not met at cliffs on the southern part
of Vaikis lake. First of all these are species of genera containing a blue-green photobiont, such as Ephebe, Euopsis, Fuscopannaria, Parmeliella. Probably a northern exposition of
Vaikis lake cliffs doesn’t ensure enough warn supply for these
lichens. Direct sunlight touch the main cliff mass only in evening time and for a short period comparing to south-exposed
cliffs of the Saindnotlag mountain area. On the other hand
cliffs of the Vaikis lake southern coast are home to unique (not
only for lichen flora of the reserve and the Murmansk region)
species – Candelariella aggregata (found in Eurasian continent
for the first time), Catillaria chalybaea, Lecanactis dilleniana,
Schismatomma umbrinum and others.
Presence of calcium salts in a substrate is an extremely
important factor for ranging of calciphilous lichen species.
These habitats are also used by rare lichen species typically
living in southern latitudes mountains to expand themselves
to the north. However the other areas of the reserve are not
rich in such abundant and various aggregations of calciphilous lichen species. Postgraduate of the Polar-alpine botanic garden – institute of the Krasnoyarsk scientific center
A.V. Melekhin could collect literally 2–3 specimen of these
lichens in Salnye tundras and nearby Nyavkatundra area.
One more specific peculiarities of lichens are connected
with yielding of rocks containing high concentrations of ferrum and close metallic ores – these are so called ferrumphilous
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
Having lived during millions of years
lichens frequently turn out to be absolutely helpless
in the modern and rapidly changing world especially
when encountered dangers human activities.
9
Lapland state nature biosphere reserve
lichens. The left coast of Chingils-corr stream slightly upstream from an area with cliffs containing calcium and in approximately 300–400 m from Vaikis lake downstream Kupes
river is a place where ledge rocks with increased ferrum concentration (probably as well as a concentration of the other
heavy metals) were found that facilitated making interesting
discoveries of species forming the whole lichenous association.
It is presented by such ferrumphilous (literally – those who like
ferrum) species as Acarospora sinopica, Buellia aethalea, Lecidea silacea, Miriquidica atrofulva, Miriquidica lulensis, Pleopsidium chlorophanum, Rhizocarpon santessonii (previously was
not known in Russia), Tremolecia atrata and so on.
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
Nowadays lichen flora of the Murmansk region
consists of more than 1200 species relating to more
than 300 genera and more than 90 families.
Lichen play the most important role in formation of vegetation cover of tundra mountains belt of the reserve at the elevations more than 900–1000 meters above sea level. These
are suburbs of Namlagchorr, Ebruchorr and Rainenchorr
mountain top of Chuna tundra and partly mountain tops of Elgoras and Vuim (are not examined in details by lichenologists
up to the present moment) in Salnye tundras. Predominance
of open stony substrates, very limited development of a soil
layer (small fragments on southern and south-western sloping
terraces) determine specificity of lichen vegetation on these
elevations – absolute prevalence of epilytic species in terms
of abundance and richness. Typical for mountainous tundra ground lichens of genera Alectoria, Bryocaulon, Cetraria,
Cladonia, Flavocetraria and other are found here only at exposed warmed up areas with a thin soil layer of cliffs or sloping
terraces of southern and south-western expositions.
Stony substrates are basically covered, which is striking
one’s eye, by crustaceous lichens species from genera (listed
in order of role decreasing in content of lichenous association): Bellemerea, Rhizocarpon, Miriquidica, Lecidea, Aspicilia, Porpidia, Lecanora and so on. Among foliated and bushy
epilytes the following species are common (listed in order
of abundance decreasing in substrates overgrowing): Pseudephebe, Melanelia, Umbilicaria, Sphaerophorus, Arctoparmelia
and some other species.
High mountain (about 1000 meter above sea level) stony-lichenous and stony-moss-lichenous tundras in the central and
northern parts of Chuna tundra and part of Salnye tundras
significantly differ in terms of species set and composition of
lichens associations from less high (lower than 800 meters
above sea level) Nyavkatundra, Monchetundra, southern part
of Chuna tundra, Volchyi tundras and the biggest part of Salnye tundras. First of all the most high mountain landscapes
Picture 24
Allantoparmelia alpicola
Picture 25
Melanelia stygia
Picture 26
Parmelia saxatilis
10
ABCGheritage – Our common arctic heritage
Picture 28
Umbilicaria vellea
Picture 29
Umbilicaria deusta
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
Picture 27
Lasallia rossica
are missing a range of genera and species typical for less high
elevations. For example, such as Lasallia, Lithographa, Micarea,
Nephroma. It is seen with the naked eye that representatives of
Peltigera genus are limited in species and range.
At the same time only elevations of 900–1000 meters
above sea level are inhabitant with very rare high mountain
and arctic genera and species which were not previously encountered in the reserve (and some of them in the Murmansk
region): genus Bryonora – species Bryonora pruinosa, Catillaria
contristans, genus Catolechia – species Catolechia wahlenbergii, genus Epilichen – species Epilichen scabrosus, species
Pyrenopsis furfurea, genus Schadonia – species Schadonia alpine (found in Russia for the first time), species Lecanora leptacina etc.
Peculiarity of a lichen cover forming at such elevations is
all-round inhabitation of mossy sods by lichens, especially
growing on a stony substrate, predominantly by species from
genera: Ochrolechia (the most massive development!), Lepraria, Frutidella (with a single species – Frutidella caesioatra)
and others. Mossy pillows are typically inhabitant by ground
or epilytic species from the genera: Cetraria, Cladonia, Melanelia, Pseudephebe etc.
Interesting discoveries of rare lichens species are made not
only on the tops of the highest mountains. A specific habitat
is a stony top of Ruapnun mountain (height is only 685 meters above sea level), where the new lichen species for Russia
Rhizocarpon furfurosum was encountered. This species being
a rare one on the world was described for the first time in 1955
from Austrian Alps. Afterwards R. furfurosum was found in
Norway and Sweden (one verified habitat), in Great Britain,
Germany, Fracnce, Italy. The closest point to the species found
in the reserve is known in Sweden. At that, a species composition of lichens collected at Ruapnun mountain generally
doesn’t differ from other examined areas of the reserve and
the Murmansk region.
Role of the Lapland reserve is important consisting in protection of the lichens of the Murmansk region – its territory
includes more than 50 % of species known in the region,
namely protection of not only the whole variety of them, but
especially those species declared to be rare at the territory of
the Murmansk region and which are potentially under threat
of dying out if negative anthropogenic factors are not eliminated. From all species under protection in the Murmansk
region 15 are growing in the Lapland reserve. Moreover a lot
of lichens species are identified in the reserve which shall be
biologically monitored within the Murmansk region.
Foremost species protected at the federal level, i.e. included into the Red List of the Russian Federation shall be specified. These are Bryoria fremontii, basidio lichen, Lichenomphalia
hudsoniana (picture 16) and Lobaria pulmonaria (picture 17).
If two first species are not rare in the reserve and sporadically
met in old pine and mixed forests (Bryoria fremontii) or mossy
cliffs in mountain of all belts (Lichenomphalia hudsoniana),
Lobaria pulmonaria is very rarely encountered and known to
grow only in one habitat on Zasteid-2 mountain hills (discovered by A.V. Melekhin in 2006). Lobaria pulmonaria habitat
11
Lapland state nature biosphere reserve
Picture 31
Icmadophila ericetorum
in the Lapland reserveis located practically at the most northern range border in the world.
In Russia Lobaria pulmonaria was found far to the north
only once in the first half of the XIX century – in outskirts of
“Pasvik” reserve (today an attempt to find it again failed.
At the same time some rare species in the Murmansk region (it turned out that they were included into the Red List
because just were poorly studied) proven to be common
the Lapland reserve. For example, Ionaspis lacustris (synonym
Hymenelia lacustris) inhabits everywhere stones, periodically
or constantly wet down, in river, stream entries and on lake
coasts. Chaenotheca brunneola is widespread in forests of
the reserve. Due to p reserve of the considerable population
at the territory of the Murmansk region it was suggested to
exclude almost 20 species from the next revision of the Red
List. Thus, the Lapland reserve fulfills its important function in
maintaining a rich variety of lichens flora in northern taiga and
mountainous forests of the Polar circle. Picture 32
Arctoparmelia subcentrifuga
Lichens of the north-taiga and mountain landscapes of the Lapland reserve
Picture 30
Chrysothrix chlorina
12
ABCGheritage – Our common arctic heritage