Do forests treated by partial cutting provide growth conditions similar to old-growth forests for epiphytic lichens?

► We examined lichen growth during two years for two epiphytic lichen species in boreal forests. ► We compared lichen growth between untreated control plots and partial cut plots. ► Growth rates of both species were lower in partial cut than in control plots. ► Bryoria nadvornikiana was more affected by canopy openness than Evernia mesomorpha. ► Lichen growth varied between years of experiment and was lower during the driest year.