Lichen community composition in riparian forest in the APA of Ibirapuitã, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil

ABSTRACT

The lichens are part of an extremely diverse group and are important components in forested areas. The aim of this study is to analyze the lichen species composition and investigate the phytosociological patterns of taxa occurring in riparian forest, in the APA of Ibirapuitã, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil. The mapping of lichen species was performed using the acetate method, in 60 phorophytes distributed in 12 riparian forest areas. Two hundred fifty-four lichenized fungi taxa were recorded, of which 199 were registered in the quantitative study, with two new species to science, three new citations for Brazil and 14 new records for the state of Rio Grande do Sul. The species Heterodermia obscurata (Nyl.) Trev. was the most important in the community, showing the highest value of importance, frequency, and coverage. The environmental quality of some riparian forest areas, associated with the availability of appropriate phorophyte and microclimate conditions of forest areas are factors that contributed to the results. The preservation of riparian forests in the analyzed areas is of vital importance to ensure the biodiversity of species, but also for the protection of watercourses of Ibirapuitã River and its tributaries.

Keywords:
corticicolous lichens; lichenized fungi; Pampa biome; phytosociology