Responses of epiphytic lichen diversity on Quercus frainetto to traffic density in the city of Bursa (Turkey)

Abstract

In this study, We investigated the differences in epiphytic lichen diversity, species richness and functional group classification on Quercus frainetto in areas near roads with low, intermediate and high traffic in Bursa City. A total of 40 epiphytic lichen species were found on Q. frainetto. Of these, 16 species were oligotrophic, 15 species were mesotrophic, and 9 were nitrophytic. The lichen diversity value and species richness decreased with increasing traffic density. The mesotrophic species were positively related to Ldv, and were not associated with traffic. The oligotrophic species were positively correlated with traffic, whereas the nitrophytic species were negatively associated with traffic. The eutrophication-tolerant species, such as Hyperphyscia adglutinata, Lecidella elaeochroma, Physcia adscendens and Xanthoria parietina, were abundant on oak trees in low and intermediate traffic areas near agricultural areas.