Lichens are amongst the most sensitive organisms to environmental changes at the ecosystem level. Some of the most important drivers of global change, like climate, pollution and eutrophication are factors to which lichen communities respond in only a few years and lichen physiology in few weeks. Therefore, by “reading” lichens we can obtain useful information about the status of the environment and its changes over time and space.

Since the nineteenth century, observations based on changes in lichen community composition and species frequency have been used for biomonitoring purposes. Currently, new approaches based on functional diversity and lichen physiological response are being developed. Functional diversity has a wide geographical applicability and high inter-comparison potential and can complement taxonomic diversity measures, especially when these do not perform so good in predicting impacts at the ecosystem level. Newly developed physiological methods allow us to assess lichen’s response to the rapidly changing environmental conditions. Moreover, the link between physiological mechanisms, functional diversity and ecological impacts provides a trustable base for the development of environmental policies.
 
  With this course, we aim at providing the participants with the basics of lichen biology and ecology, biomonitoring and data analysis methods to allow the use of lichens for the interpretation of the environmental conditions and the development of a responsible scientific-based environmental management.
 
  Module 1 | Lichen biology and ecology This module intends to provide basic knowledge on lichen biology and ecology:
- introduction to lichen symbiosis, with highlights on the role of each partner;
- the ecological role of lichens and their role in ecosystem functioning;
- from the deserts to the poles: strategies for lichen survival in extreme environmental conditions;
- lichens in the context of global change: key features that make them excellent ecological indicators of air pollution and climate change.

Module 2 | Systematics This module will cover basic lichen structures and techniques needed for lichen determination (lab class), providing students with the basic skills on lichen identification:
- morphology and anatomy: photobionts, growth forms, sexual and vegetative reproduction strategies;
- determination methods based on morphological and chemical characteristics;
- introduction to the most common lichen genera, available floras and online keys;
- identification of lichen specimens: macro- and microscopic characters (preparation and observation of samples) using chemistry and determination keys.

Module 3 | Ecophysiology This module will focus on modern approaches in lichen ecophysiology to assess the impact of environmental stress drivers on lichen functioning:
- lichen physiological response to environmental changes;
- what should be measured? Selecting parameters to assess cause and/or effect of human-induced environmental disturbances;
- case studies from laboratory and field work;
-integration of molecular, physiological and ecological techniques.

Module 4 | Using lichen functional diversity: from topsoil to trees This module offers an overview on the use of lichen trait-based diversity as an indicator of global change drivers:
- functional trait diversity, what does that mean? A review of definitions and components, including chemical and life-history traits;
- why is functional trait diversity so important? The link to ecosystem functioning and the response to environmental changes.
Case studies with biological soil crusts and epiphytic lichens.

Module 5 | Biomonitoring This module aims to give an overview on the main methodological approaches using lichens as biomonitors:
- what to measure? Standard sampling methods based on biodiversity and bioaccumulation;
- how to measure? When to use transplants or in situ lichens in biomonitoring studies. Which biodiversity metrics (taxonomic, functional) should be used?
- different problems ask for different approaches: case-studies of different environmental problems (in urban, natural and industrial areas) and the link with human health.

Module 6 | Data analysis and interpretation This module provides students with the basic notions on how to analyze and interpret data collected according to previous modules:
- theory and practical examples will be given;
- emphasis on spatial interpretation of results using GIS software.

Excursion | One-day field excursion to Mediterranean cork-oak woodlands to test the acquired knowledge on species; and to apply the biomonitoring methods: the standard European method for air pollution and the method for biological soil crusts.

 

This is a cE3c advanced course