Epiphytic lichens: a tool for to study the ecological continuity Mocha Island, Chile

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to study the ecological continuity Mocha Island National Reserve, through the knowledge of the richness and frequency of epiphytic lichens in 14 plots distributed at random within the reserve. The tree biomass and upper-stem volume were quantified for to establish correlations that may explain the distribution of epiphytic lichens. It proposes a new index of ecological continuity with cyanolichens (ICEC) for to establish the degree of alteration of this natural ecosystem. The total richness of lichenized fungi was 33 species, 3 of which are new records for Chile: Fissurina triticea; Pyrenula neglecta and Sticta subcaperata. A statistically significant relationship was founded between cyanolichens and upper-stem volume, which could indicate preference of this type of lichens by forest ecosystem with a large upper-stem volume. In basis of the ICEC proposed in this work, Mocha Island National Reserve is defined as an altered ecosystem.