Successful conservation of the endangered forest lichen Lobaria pulmonaria requires knowledge of fine-scale population structure

We explored the fine scale patterns of populations of the lichen Lobaria pulmonaria in its most suitable habitats across Italy, accounting for different developmental stages as well as for a set of biotic and abiotic descriptors. Results revealed that the tree-level probability of occurrence of the species is influenced by an interplay between the forest habitat type and some abiotic and biotic factors whose interactive effects vary during the life cycle of the lichen. Moreover, results indicated that oak (Quercus sp.pl.)-dominated forests provide more suitable habitat conditions for L. pulmonaria than montane mixed forests, with chestnut (Castanea sativa) forests in an intermediate position. The effect of habitat was significant only for adult thalli while the early life stages of the lichen were habitat-independent and were strictly associated with tree-level factors. A positive relationship between bryophyte cover and juvenile thalli was found.