Influence of forest management on epiphytic lichens in a temperate beech forest of northern Italy

The influence of forest management on species richness and composition of epiphytic macrolichens was studied on beech stems in two differently managed stands in northern Italy: (1) mixed-multilayered stand with silver fir, spruce and beech, managed by selective-cutting and (2) pure beech stand, intensively managed by shelterwood-cutting. Macrolichens and easily identifiable crustose lichens were surveyed on 150 randomly selected beech trees in 10 management units. Trees of the two stands significantly differed in lichen composition, but not in species richness. However, most of the rare species were exclusive of the sites managed by selective-cutting. The lichen flora of mixed stands mainly included suboceanic species-sensitive to forest management and habitat modification; that of pure stands was dominated by generalist species common in disturbed habitats. Lobaria pulmonaria is suggested as a signal species for rapidly assessing the conservation importance of forests. Some practical suggestions are given to enhance lichen conservation in intensively managed stands.