Physiological responses of epiphytic lichens to air quality of Nilüfer district in Bursa City

In this study, Uludag Fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. bornmulleriana Mattf.) branches lined with lichens from the region determined in Kirazlıyayla locality in Uludağ National Park, a rural area far from atmosferic pollutants, were placed in an area more exposed to pollutants in Nilüfer as the central district of Bursa province. Photosynthetic pigment contents of epiphytic lichen species (Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl., Parmelia sulcata Taylor and Pseudevernia furfuracea (L.) Zopf) were measured in three-month intervals. Then, one-year pigment exchange rates and exposure to seasonal pollutants were statistically evaluated. Chlorophyll degradation increased in winter months and decreased in summer months for H. physodes samples compared to control. It was decreased in winter and increased in summer for P. furfuracea specimens. In P. sulcata, no significant difference was found between the values measured in the control and transplanted samples. Chlorophyll degradation was significantly increased for P. furfuracea and decreased for P. sulcata compared to control specimens with prolonged transplantation time. The amount of chlorophyll a was decreased significantly for H. physodes and P. sulcata compared to the control samples due to the prolongation of the transplantation period, while the change in P. furfuracea was not significant. Chlorophyll b and carotenoid content were significantly decreased in all three lichen species due to the prolongation of the transplantation period.