Corticolous lichencomminities on Lithraea tern4fotia (Gilí.) Barkley & Roin. in Sierras Chicas, province of Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

E5TRABOU, C. & GARCÍA, L. 1995. Corticolous lichen communities on Lithraea ternífolia (Gilí.) Barkley & Rom. in Sierras Chicas, province of Córdoba, Argentina. Bol. Complatensis 20: 35-43, The relationship between distribution of 20 species of corticolous lichens on Lithraeo ternifilio (Gil!.) Barkley & Rom. and external factors is analyzed. Líthraeo tern,folía is the most abundant phoropbyte in the mountain forest of the province of Córdoba, Argentina. Four externa! factors were considered: hilíside height, open and dense forest, trunl< height and perimeter at breast height. By means of an ordination technique (Principal Components Analysis) four groups Botanica Coínplatensís, 20: 35-43. Servicio de Publicaciones. Universidad Complutense, 1995 36 Cecilia Estrabou y Lía García of species were discriminated: 1) rare species with ¡0w frequency and cover (less than 1 % of mean cover); 2) pioneer species of small crustose licbens; 3 and 4) mostly foliose species. ubicuous and strong competitors. Groups 3 and 4 excludes eacb other. The distribution of the groups is not related to external factor~., but perimeter at breast height (PBH) suggests a relationship between phorophyte age and lichen species distribution. The structure of lichen coinniunity is also affected by the forest type and the hilíside height.