Lichen team
Systematics and Phylogeny
The purpose of studying systematics in lichenology is to "fix" the current system – to find species that are related and put them in one genus, but also to find ways how to delimit different genera more evenly. For this we use different methods to analyze molecular characters, but at the same time evaluate morphological and chemical characters. Currently the subject of our research is lichens from the family Parmeliaceae. It is the biggest family among lichenized fungi, including about 80 genera and 2700 species. Ascertainment of species phylogeny serves two purposes: first, it helps towards building up theoretical knowledge about speciation and species relationships; second, delimiting taxa significant to evolution helps us to give more accurate evaluations about species bioindicative qualities, dispersal, endangerment, and so on. People studying Lichen Systematics and Phylogeny are: Tiina Randlane, Andres Saag, Lauri Saag, Tiiu Tõrra and Kristiina Mark.
Ecology
Our group's ecological studies deal with species richness and composition but also factors affecting these in different forest types, wooded meadows and on alvars. We evaluate the importance of different substrate qualities (e.g. bark pH, tree circumference, lighting) and forest community characters (e.g. forest stand´s age, location) as the influencing factors of lichen species richness and composition. We are also researching
lichens bioindicative values related to air pollution and forest continuity. People studying Lichen Ecology are: Inga Jüriado, Liis Marmor and Ede Leppik.
Floristics and Conservation
UT Lichen Team is consistently studying and ascertaining the Estonian lichenoflora species list. The results of this work are updated once a year. Currently the checklist of Estonian lichenoflora consists of 1132 species, of which 926 are lichenized fungi (lichens), 176 lichenicolous fungi, and 30 species of saprotrophic fungi systematically close to lichens. We also gather data about species distribution and habitat to help us evaluate species endangerment, need for protection and conservation methods. On the proposal of our workgroup, 51 lichen species were taken under protection of state law in 2004. In 2008 we prepared the lichens part for the Estonian Red List of Threatened Species.
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