Relationships between the structural complexity and lichen community in coniferous forests of southwestern Nova Scotia

• Published in: Forest ecology and management 2010-07, Vol.260 (5), p.744-749
• Main Authors: McMullin, Richard Troy, Duinker, Peter N., Richardson, David H.S., Cameron, Robert P., Hamilton, David C., Newmaster, Steven G.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acadian forest; Acer rubrum; Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Communities; community ecology; Complexity; coniferous forests; conservation practices; Continuity; Density; epiphytes; forest communities; forest habitats; Forest management; Forest management. Stand types and stand dynamics. Silvicultural treatments. Tending of stands. Natural regeneration; forest stands; forest succession; Forestry; Forests; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; indicator species; Lichen community; Lichens; microhabitats; Nova Scotia; Old-growth; old-growth forests; stand composition; stand structure; Stands; Structural complexity; Supports; Sustainable forest management; sustainable forestry; Synecology; Terrestrial ecosystems
• ISSN: 0378-1127; 1872-7042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.foreco.2010.05.032

The relationships between the structural complexity of coniferous forests and the epiphytic lichen communities that inhabit them were examined in 51 conifer-dominated stands in southwestern Nova Scotia. One hundred and fifteen lichen species were studied in stands in the age range of 50–300 years. Environmental variables shaping the structural complexity of each forest stand were measured and their relationship with lichen species were assessed using a canonical correspondence analysis (CCA). The CCA revealed that the considerable variation in lichen community composition can be explained by several environmental variables associated with forest structure. The stand orientation on the first axis of the CCA found the most important variables for lichen richness to be stand age, tree stem density and snag stem density. The stand orientation on the second axis is strongly correlated with deciduous stem density and abundance including specific deciduous tree species such as Acer rubrum abundance. The analysis indicates that the greater the structural complexity in the forest, and thus the more microhabitats available, the greater the lichen species richness. These results should provide forest managers with a better understanding of the environmental variables that influence lichen diversity, and contribute to the development of more sustainable forest management strategies.