Ranking of Epiphytic Lichen Sensitivity to Air Pollution Using Survey Data: A Comparison of Indicator Scales

Abstract

Abstract Epiphytic lichens were recorded on wayside trees in the Netherlands. Four statistical methods were used to detect the relationship between presence and abundance of lichen species and measured atmospheric concentrations of SO 2 , NO 2 and NH 3 . The observed relationships were compared to published indicator scales of lichen sensitivity to atmospheric pollution. For SO 2 , a good agreement was found between all scales and calculated sensitivities based on presence or absence of species. For NO 2 and NH 3 the correspondence was less obvious. The sensitivity to NH 3 was inversely related to Wirth's;s acidity indicator positively to NH 3 tend to be sensitive to SO 2 and NO 2 .