Epiphytic macrolichens as indicators of environmental alteration in northern Thailand

Epiphytic lichens were sampled on mango trees ( Mangifera spp.) in 32 sites in urban centres and surrounding rural areas in seven provinces of upper northern Thailand. Species were recorded on each tree and frequency estimated in a grid of ten 100-cm 2 units. Analysis of macrolichen data showed that...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Environmental pollution (1987) 2007-03, Vol.146 (2), p.366-374
Main Authors: Saipunkaew, W., Wolseley, P.A., Chimonides, P.J., Boonpragob, K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Air Pollutants - analysis
air pollution
Analysis methods
Animal, plant and microbial ecology
anthropogenic activities
Applied ecology
Applied sciences
Atmospheric pollution
Biodiversity
Biological and medical sciences
Biomonitoring
Cities
Climate
Cluster Analysis
Ecotoxicology, biological effects of pollution
Effects of pollution and side effects of pesticides on plants and fungi
environmental indicators
environmental monitoring
Environmental Monitoring - methods
epiphytes
Exact sciences and technology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Humans
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
indicator species
Lecanorales
lichens
Lichens - physiology
Mangifera
Mangifera - parasitology
Mangifera indica
mangoes
Parmeliaceae
Particulate Matter - analysis
particulates
Physciaceae
Plant Bark - physiology
PM10
Pollution
Population Density
Rain
rural areas
South East Asia
species diversity
street trees
sulfur
Thailand
Urban areas
Urbanization
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Summary:Epiphytic lichens were sampled on mango trees ( Mangifera spp.) in 32 sites in urban centres and surrounding rural areas in seven provinces of upper northern Thailand. Species were recorded on each tree and frequency estimated in a grid of ten 100-cm 2 units. Analysis of macrolichen data showed that lichen diversity was inversely correlated with human population, and that lichen diversity was lowest in the cities with the highest population. The distribution and frequencies of species belonging to families Physciaceae and Parmeliaceae contributed to the groups identified by cluster analysis that corresponded to gradients in rainfall and population density. Comparison with modelled pollution data and local pollution records showed greater correspondence of lichen data with the effects of PM10 than with anthropogenic sulphur. Epiphytic lichens in urban and rural areas of northern Thailand can be used as indicators of the levels of pollution associated with increasing population.
ISSN:0269-7491
1873-6424
DOI:10.1016/j.envpol.2006.03.044