Lichen Functional Traits and Ecosystem Functions
A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Microbiology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2021) | Viewed by 31957
Special Issue Editors
Interests: lichen ecology; biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: lichenology; floristics; taxonomy; distribution; conservation of lichens in terrestrial ecosystems
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Functional traits and ecosystem functions have received increasing consideration in the last decade. Scientists have recognized them as critical elements for elucidating the mechanisms behind the dynamics of biota. Functional traits are characteristics of the species that mediate their response to environmental conditions and determine ecosystem functioning that may result in the provision of several ecosystem services.
Lichens are symbiotic associations between a heterotrophic fungus (the mycobiont) and one or more photosynthetic partners (the photobiont). Despite their modest size, lichens may be essential in providing specific ecosystem functions. These organisms are abundant globally, and represent the dominant autotrophs in several ecosystems, such as tundra, deserts, or high-elevation landscapes. Although the role of lichens in ecosystems is becoming increasingly recognized, knowledge of their functional performance has only been recently expanding.
In this Special Issue of Microorganisms, entitled “Lichen Functional Traits and Ecosystem Functions”, we aim to increase knowledge on the abovementioned topics through dissemination of the latest research in these areas. We encourage researchers to send their research papers or reviews dealing with numerous aspects of the investigation of lichen functional traits. Some of the potential topics include:
- Genetic, physiological, or ecological background of lichen traits.
- Characterization and assessment of ecosystem functions afforded by lichen communities;
- Applicative studies using lichen functional traits for evaluating the effects of anthropogenic disturbance;
- Description of new methods for assessing lichen functional traits;
- Intraspecific variations of lichen functional traits;
- Interactions between lichens and other organisms that are mediated by functional traits.
Prof. Dr. Paolo Giordani
Prof. Dr. Juri Nascimbene
Prof. Dr. Renato Benesperi
Guest Editors
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