Lichen Biomonitoring Protocol
The method is adapted from Insarov (2002) to meet the additional requirements of an inter-city comparative study to record and
monitor lichen diversity and distribution in Moscow and London over a twenty-five year period.
Changes in air pollution and climate over the period will also be documented to identify spatial and temporal trends.
A method for detecting long-term environmental change with lichens
- 1. Aim
- 2. Method
- 2.2. Site and plot selection
- 2.3. Tree selection and lichen sampling protocol
- 2.4. Data collection and handling
i. All data should be entered in a database. The following information should be included: Plot or tree location and species, girth, lichen species. For the tape survey thallus length, beginning and end of each thallus intersection with the upper edge of the tape and taxa.
ii. The results should be plotted using GIS.
iii. Pollution concentrations should be determined for each survey site where appropriate modelled or monitored data are available. Due to the large spatial gradient of decay from transport emitted pollutants it is important to note the position of the local monitoring station and its proximity to kerbside, together with traffic flow rates if available, where real-time monitoring data are used.
iv. Climate data should be recorded where available. Suggested parameters – annual average temperature, precipitation, wind speed and direction, humidity, hours of sunshine together with monitoring site details.
- 3. References
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