Niche characteristics of Cladonia lichens associated with geothermal vents in Japan
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
4-1990
Department
Department of Biological Sciences
Abstract
To characterize the niche preferences of Cladonia species associated with geothermal areas, we sampled ten thermal areas in Japan. It appears from the current study and related studies that some members of the Cladonia genus can have a wide tolerance for both soil temperature and pH conditions. Cladonia mitis is the most abundant Cladonia and occurs throughout most of the vent system. Cladonia theiophila occurs most frequently at a soil pH of less than 3.5, but occurs mostly at lower soil surface temperatures (below 29°C). Cladonia floerkeana is very restricted in its distribution and is most abundant where the root zone temperature (15 cm) is above 70°C, the surface temperature is above 40°C, and the pH is 5-5.5. Tolerances to low pH, high soil temperatures, and low to moderate humidity permit Cladonia species to grow where vascular plants and even mosses cannot grow and thus they avoid the competition such plants would provide to these slow-growing organisms.
Publication Title
Ecological Research
Recommended Citation
Glime, J.,
&
Iwatsuki, Z.
(1990).
Niche characteristics of Cladonia lichens associated with geothermal vents in Japan.
Ecological Research,
5(1), 131-141.
http://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348468
Retrieved from: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/4366
Publisher's Statement
© 1990 Ecological Society of Japan. Publisher’s version of record: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02348468