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Despite the fact that Italy is among the lichenologically best known areas worldwide, a national red list of lichens is still lacking. The aim of this work was to provide a red list of the epiphytic lichens of Italy which could facilitate the inclusion of lichens in national conservation plans. The evaluation of the species against International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria was based on data from multiple sources which represent the best available information on the epiphytic lichens of Italy. The species were assigned to the IUCN categories mainly using criteria D and B. A total of 368 species were evaluated: for 23 species, information is missing from more than 50 years and they were listed as regionally extinct, 64 as critically endangered, 75 as endangered, 74 as vulnerable, 58 as near threatened, 20 as least concern and 54 species as data deficient. Our results indicate that more than one-fourth of the epiphytic lichens of Italy are likely to be threatened, so that further research and effort are needed to include lichens in the main national conservation plans. Our results also highlight the lack of information that still hampers the rigorous evaluation of Italian lichens against IUCN criteria

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The effect of management related factors on species richness of epiphytic bryophytes and 24 lichens was studied in managed deciduous-coniferous mixed forests in Western-Hungary. At 25 2 the stand level, the potential explanatory variables were tree species composition, stand 26 structure, microclimate and light conditions, landscape and historical variables; while at tree 27 level host tree species, tree size and light were studied. 28Species richness of the two epiphyte groups was positively correlated. Both for lichen and 29 bryophyte plot level richness, the composition and diversity of tree species and the abundance 30 of shrub layer were the most influential positive factors. Besides, for bryophytes the presence 31 of large trees, while for lichens amount and heterogeneity of light were important. Tree level 32 richness was mainly determined by host tree species for both groups. For bryophytes oaks, 33 while for lichens oaks and hornbeam turned out the most favourable hosts. Tree size generally 34 increased tree level species richness, except on pine for bryophytes and on hornbeam for 35 lichens. 36The key variables for epiphytic diversity of the region were directly influenced by recent 37 forest management; historical and landscape variables were not influential. Forest 38 management oriented to the conservation of epiphytes should focus on: (i) the maintenance of 39 tree species diversity in mixed stands; (ii) increment the proportion of deciduous trees (mainly 40 oaks); (iii) conserving large trees within the stands; (iv) providing the presence of shrub and 41 regeneration layer; (v) creating heterogeneous light conditions. For these purposes tree 42 selection and selective cutting management seem more appropriate than shelterwood system. 43 44 45

Aim Patterns of epiphytic lichen diversity along elevational gradients covering the range of Norway spruce forests were analysed. The roles of water and energy variables in shaping the observed species-elevation relationship were tested, as well as how growth form and photobiont type distribution varied along the gradient.Location South Tyrol, northern Italy.Methods Eight sites were selected spanning the elevational range of spruce forests (900-1900 m a.s.l.) and the regional rainfall gradient. At each site, a pair of forest stands (one mature even-aged and one multilayered) was selected at three elevation steps. Epiphytic lichens were surveyed according to European guidelines for lichen diversity monitoring. Explanatory variables indicative of both forest structure and climate were included in the models.Results A positive relationship was found between number of species and elevation. This reflected the physiological response of epiphytic lichens to the main climatic factors, trait selection being the mechanism that determined the response at community level. Nonlinear species-temperature and trait-temperature relationships predicted that major changes may be expected in the intermediate part of the gradient. Lichens with a Trentepohlia algal partner were more frequent at lower elevations and proved to be sensitive to environmental factors indicative of forest structure. Lichen growth forms had contrasting patterns related to temperature, crustose species richness being enhanced by increasing values, and alectorioid and foliose lichens by decreasing values. Alectorioid lichens were also negatively influenced by rainfall.Main conclusions In a climate change scenario, lichen diversity in alpine regions will probably not benefit from an increase in air temperature in the same way as flowering plants. Monitoring variations in the proportions of growth form and photobiont type may represent a tool for detecting the effects of climate change on lichen species.