Lichens of abandoned zinc-lead mines

Abstract

A list of lichens from areas of zinc-lead ores in Southern Poland and a review of the characteristic lichen biota of these sites is provided. In spite of the devastated and heavy metal contaminated environment, a highly diverse epigeic and epilithic lichen biota was found, including species characteristic of various anthropogenic habitats, particularly zinc and lead enriched substrates (<em>Diploschistes muscorum, Steinia geophana, Sarcosagium campestre, Vezdaea aestivalis</em> and <em>V. leprosa</em>). Also, the high-mountain species <em>Leucocarpia biatorella</em>, as well as very rare in Europe <em>Thelocarpon imperceptum</em>, and several species categorized as very rare, endangered and protected in Poland were recorded. Crustose lichens are the most abundant; among fruticose forms <em>Cladonia</em> spp. predominate and <em>Stereocaulon incrustatum</em> is common.