Inventory List of Epiphytic Lichens Inhabiting Low and High Altitude Environment

DOI

10.2991/978-94-6463-536-2_19How to use a DOI?

Keywords

Lichen; elevation; microclimatic factors; species coverage

Abstract

Lichens, taxonomically classified as lower plants due to their basic morphological traits, are easily affected by climate. Interactions between microclimatic factors such as temperature and humidity are particularly important in determining local differences in lichen species composition and coverage. Coupled with other abiotic components, the nature of the habitat may cause a certain species of lichen to thrive better. For the purpose of the study, two different sampling locations with differing elevations were adopted. Sampling stations in UiTM Shah Alam represent lichens in low elevation while sampling stations in Fraser’s Hill represent lichens in high elevation. The study was conducted using 15cmx15cm quadrats, laid on 60 selected trees. Microclimatic factors such as temperature and humidity were recorded using a hygro-thermometer. The average temperature of 33.0℃ ± 0.2 and 22.9℃ ± 0.2 were recorded in low and high elevation, respectively. This is inversely proportional to the humidity level where the low and high elevation recorded 66.2% ± 1.2 and 78.0% ± 1.0 of humidity, respectively. A total of 29 species of lichens from 14 families were recorded in the study sites. The low and high elevation each dominating by different species of lichens; Chrysothricaceae exhibit the highest frequency in low elevation (28.2%) while Parmeliaceae exhibit the highest frequency in high elevation (54.8%). For lichens species coverage, Chrysothrix flavovirens exhibit the highest percentage coverage in low elevation (18.7%) while Lepraria sp. exhibit the highest coverage in high elevation (20.3%). It is evident that high elevation habitat is more favourable for lichens due to low temperature and high humidity which help the lichens from desiccation. This study also showed that different elevation will support different types of lichens; the foliose and fruticose lichens are more abundant in high elevation while the crustose lichens are more abundant in low elevation. The findings of this study highlighted the role of microclimatic factors and how it affects the survivability of epiphytic tropical lichens.

Copyright

© 2024 The Author(s)

Open Access

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TY  - CONF
AU  - Asmida Ismail
AU  - Aini Nadhirah Nor Azian
AU  - Nur Syafiqah Abd Hakim
AU  - Faezah Pardi
AU  - Khairul Adzfa Radzun
AU  - Faeiza Buyong
AU  - Nurul Aida Kamal Ikhsan
PY  - 2024
DA  - 2024/10/17
TI  - Inventory List of Epiphytic Lichens Inhabiting Low and High Altitude Environment
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Science Technology and Social Sciences – Biology Track (ICONSTAS-BIO 2023)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 210
EP  - 231
SN  - 2468-5747
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-536-2_19
DO  - 10.2991/978-94-6463-536-2_19
ID  - Ismail2024
ER  -