Lichen communities on treefall mounds depend more on root-plate than stand characteristics

▶ This study is the first to explicitly address the habitat value of uprooted trees for lichens and, thereby, it adds a novel aspect to the complex issue of windfall management. ▶ We report that (1) the mounds of uprooted trees host many lichen species, including several rare and threatened taxa, and, (2) because those lichen communities depend mostly on mound-scale factors, there are good prospects for providing quality habitat for them in managed forests as well. ▶ However, given some differences of lichen communities in old growth, and because treefall issues conflict with other management objectives in commercial forests, strict protection of treefall areas in reserves is also necessary.