Michael Dietrich, Karl Bürgi-Meyer
Herzogia 24 (1), 33-52, (1 June 2011) https://doi.org/10.13158/heia.24.1.2011.33
KEYWORDS: biodiversity, lichen conservation, lichenized Ascomycetes, xerophytic lichens
DIETRICH, M. & BÜRGI-MEYER, K. 2011. Chestenenweid at Lake Lucerne (Canton of Lucerne, Central Switzerland) — an important habitat for lichens of dry and warm sites on the northern side of the Alps. — Herzogia 24: 33–52.
Due to its dry and warm climate, Chestenenweid, at the southern foot of Mount Rigi, represents an extraordinary habitat in Inner-Switzerland, a region generally characterised by high precipitation. The area, rich in boulders of Nagelfluh conglomerates, was investigated intensively as a contribution to lichen conservation in the canton of Lucerne. A total of 182 lichen species was recorded. The epiphytic Arthonia ligniaria, the terricolous Endocarpon pallidulum and the saxicolous Lemmopsis arnoldiana are reported for the first time from Switzerland. Fourteen additional species are new to the canton of Lucerne: Agonimia globulifera, A. opuntiella, Caloplaca conversa, C. polycarpa, Cladonia parasitica, C. rei, Endocarpon pusillum, Leptogium teretiusculum, Myriospora heppii, Peltigera monticola, Rinodina oxydata, Staurothele caesia, S. guestphalica and Verrucaria marmorea. The saxicolous and terricolous lichens on the boulders of the Nagelfluh conglomerate are of special interest. These include many species of dry and warm sites that have a mainly mediterrean to submediterrean distribution. In the study area, these only grow in the most open areas, as illustrated by the mapped occurrence of Agonimia opuntiella and Cladonia rangiformis. They are absent from areas that have recently been cleared but because of higher temperatures and light levels, the chances of their spreading further in the area are good.