Algal layer ratios as indicators of air pollutant effects in Permelia sulcata

Bryologist
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Abstract

Parmelia sulcata Taylor is generally believed to be fairly pollution tolerant, and consequently it is sometimes collected in urban and/or polluted localities. The condition of these specimens, however, is not always luxuriant and healthy. This study tested the hypothesis that total thallus and algal layer thickness, and the algal layer ratio would be thinner in polluted areas, thus allowing these characters to be used a indicators of air pollutant effects. Herbarium specimens were studied from 16 different localities varying in pollution level. The thallus and algal layers and ratio were not affected by year or locality of sampling, but decreased 11, 31 and 21% respectively between low and high pollution level localities. These results agreed with earlier studies using other species, but further work is needed to clarify the effects of geography and substrate on these phenomena.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Algal layer ratios as indicators of air pollutant effects in Permelia sulcata
Series title Bryologist
Volume 105
Issue 1
Year Published 2002
Language English
Contributing office(s) National Wildlife Health Center
Description p. 104-110
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Bryologist
First page 104
Last page 110
Country United States, Italy
State Delaware, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Michigan, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Tuscany, Vermont, Wisconsin
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
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