Physiological responses of epiphytic lichens to anthropogenic activities at Kirazlıyayla and Sarıalan camping areas in Uludağ National Park (Bursa, Turkey)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of anthropogenic activities on the physiology of epiphytic lichens in Kirazlıyayla and Sarıalan picnic areas at Uludağ National Park. Chlorophyll a, b, carotenoids contents and OD435/415 ratio of all the species collected from Kirazlıyayla and Sarıalan were higher in picnic areas compared to the control areas. Chlorophyll contents of the samples collected from the picnic areas at the end of summer were higher than that of collected in early summer. Chlorophyll a content of Parmelia sulcata collected from Kirazlıyayla was lower at the end of summer than the value measured at the beginning of summer. The OD435/415 ratio of Evernia prunastri and Pseudevernia furfuracea samples collected from Kirazlıyayla, and Hypogymnia physodes and P. furfuracea samples collected from Sarıalan were higher in picnic area than the control area both in early summer and early autumn. Chlorophyll a was positively correlated with chlorophyll b, carotenoid, and OD435/415, and was negatively correlated with relative humidity and altitude. OD435/415 ratio was positively correlated with the other photosynthetic pigments, whereas it was only negatively associated with the altitude.