Which is the better as an indicator of environmental quality: Parmelia sulcata Taylor or Parmelina tiliacea (Hoffm.) Hale

Abstract

In this study, the changes in photosynthetic pigment contents of epiphytic foliose lichens Parmelia sulcata and Parmelina tiliacea collected on the trunk of oak trees in each one of four different localities in Bursa Province were investigated. Almost all of the photosynthetic parameters of P. sulcata in all the localities were measured higher than in P. tiliacea. Chlorophyll and carotenoid contents, and phaeophytinization rate measured in thalli of P. sulcata showed significant differences between the localities. Only chlorophyll b/a ratio and phaeophytinization rate in thalli of P. tiliacea was not significant between the localities. Other parameters showed significant differences. The highest photosynthetic pigment contents and ratio for each lichen species was measured in samples collected from 3th locality. The lowest chlorophyll a content and phaeophytinization rate for each lichen species were measured in samples collected from 2nd locality. Compared to variations in the chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll, and total carotenois content for each lichen species between the localities were found statistically significant at level P<0.01. P. sulcata was the better as an indicator of environmental quality than P. tiliacea.