Abstract
The predictability of a standardized and widely used biomonitoring method for estimating total lichen diversity on trunks (LDV-index) was tested. The study was carried out in Veneto (NE Italy), on 34 randomly selected trees in five sites in different landscape contexts. Two sets of biodiversity data were obtained from each tree: (1) the LDV index based on species frequency within a standard sampling grid positioned on a limited part of the trunks only (2) the total number of species found on the trunks. Total species richness on trunks is significantly related with the LDV index, which suggests that the LDV standard methodology can be used also for estimates of lichen diversity. Even a LDV index based on macrolichens, or on large-lobed foliose lichens only, still permits reliable estimates of total diversity on the trunks.
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Acknowledgements
The work was partially supported by the Regional Agency for the Protection of the Environment of Veneto (ARPAV) in the context of the Project DOCUP devoted to the improvement of a regional network for monitoring air pollution and mapping remote areas.
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Nascimbene, J., Nimis, P.L. & Marini, L. Testing indicators of epiphytic lichen diversity: a case study in N Italy. Biodivers Conserv 16, 3377–3383 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-006-9084-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-006-9084-z