Lichens and allied non-lichenized fungi of virgin forests in the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Western Caucasus, Russia)

A comprehensive survey of lichens and allied fungi in the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve revealed 659 species, including 149 new to the Northern Caucasus and 50 previously unknown in Russia. The study, conducted across seven one-hectare plots along an altitudinal gradient, identified a diverse range of epiphytic and epixylic species, with macrolichens comprising 26.5–40% of the total. Notably, the research found negligible effects of acidification or nitrogen emissions on lichen diversity, with cyanolichens remaining abundant across all plots. Beech and fir trees were the most preferred substrates, though most lichen species exhibited low substrate specificity. The highest species richness was observed in a plot outside the reserve, prompting recommendations for its inclusion to expand protected areas.

Urbanavichus, G., Vondrák, J., Urbanavichene, I., Palice, Z., & Malíček, J. (2020). Lichens and allied non-lichenized fungi of virgin forests in the Caucasus State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Western Caucasus, Russia). Herzogia, 33(1), 90. https://doi.org/10.13158/heia.33.1.2020.90