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HABITAT ASSOCIATIONS OF EPIPHYTIC LICHENS IN MANAGED AND UNMANAGED FOREST STANDS IN NOVA SCOTIA

Abstract Differences in lichen presence and abundance in natural and managed coniferous forests of Nova Scotia were studied in thirty stands categorized as 1) harvested and thinned, 2) harvested and unthinned, and 3) naturally disturbed. The frequency of cover of thirty-four lichen taxa was assessed and analysed to examine the effects of forest management history. Nine taxa had significantly greater abundance and two taxa only occurred in old growth forests compared to younger stages. Twenty taxa had significantly greater abundance and five taxa only occurred in natural forests compared to managed forests. The abundance and habitat of each taxon is discussed. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the forest structural features that best explained the abundance of each lichen taxon. Tree age, remnant trees, crown closure, tree volume, and tree spacing were structural features that most consistently influenced lichen abundance.