Lichens on burnt wood in Estonia: a preliminary assessment

Abstract

According to available published, herbarium and recent inventory data at least 48 (and potentially over 80) species of lichenized and allied fungi can inhabit burnt areas and/or charred wood in Estonia. Most of these are widespread epiphytes and terrestrial lichens but the list also includes all five species considered ‘fire-dependent’ in Fennoscandia. Future studies should assess the specificity of species for charred wood, and analyse the features that make it a quality habitat for lichen species.