The lichen biota of three nature reserves in island Saaremaa, Estonia

Abstract

A description of the lichen biota of three nature reserves – Kaugatoma-Lõo, Odalätsi and Viieristi reserves in Saaremaa island, Estonia is presented. In total 404 species are listed, of them 228 are recorded from Kaugatoma-Lõo, 169 from Odalätsi and 167 from Viieristi reserves. The composition of the lichen biota of the reserves reflects the availability of habitats (alvar grasslands, sand dunes, different types of forests) in the area. The share of rare and protected species is the highest in Kaugatoma-Lõo reserve because of the rare in Estonia habitats (thin calcium-rich soils) and substrata (lignum of old, dead junipers). Ramalina elegans, previously considered as extinct in Estonia, was re-found from Odalätsi and Viieristi reserves.