Reaction of the Lichen Hypogymnia physodes to Dust Pollution in the Influence Zone of the Middle Timan Bauxite Mine

Here we present the results of long-term monitoring (2002–2017) of epiphytic lichen Hypogymnia physodes in the zone of influence of the Middle Timan bauxite mine (MTBM) (Komi Republic). Dust with a predominance of Al and Fe is the main environmental pollutant in this area. Three periods of the response of lichen to dust pollution are identified: shock, maximum changes, and adaptation. The dust pollution significantly reduced the projective cover of the species under study, increased the frequency of thallus necrosis, and decreased thallus linear dimensions. In the 10 years after we started our monitoring studies, the parameters of the vital state of H. physodes began to stabilize and then improve due to the adaptation of the lichen to chronic environmental pollution with dust. The study of changes in the content of main pollutants showed that, during the mining operation, they accumulate in the thalli of the lichen H. physodes in the following order: Al > Fe > Ni > Cu > Pb.