The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings
Certain species of crustose lichens have concentrically zoned margins which probably represent yearly growth rings. These marginal growth rings offer an alternative method of studying annual growth fluctuations, establishing growth rate–size curves, and determining the age of thalli for certain crus...
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ftnerc:oai:nora.nerc.ac.uk:10287 2023-05-15T16:51:45+02:00 The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings Armstrong, Richard A. Bradwell, Tom 2010 text http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10287/ https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10287/1/ARMSTRONG_BRADWELL_2010B_nora.pdf http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123305252/issue en eng Wiley-Blackwell https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10287/1/ARMSTRONG_BRADWELL_2010B_nora.pdf Armstrong, Richard A.; Bradwell, Tom. 2010 The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings. Geografiska Annaler Series A Physical Geography, 92 (1). 141-147. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2010.00383.x <https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2010.00383.x> Earth Sciences Publication - Article PeerReviewed 2010 ftnerc https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2010.00383.x 2023-02-04T19:26:36Z Certain species of crustose lichens have concentrically zoned margins which probably represent yearly growth rings. These marginal growth rings offer an alternative method of studying annual growth fluctuations, establishing growth rate–size curves, and determining the age of thalli for certain crustose species. Hence, marginal growth rings represent a potentially valuable, unexploited, tool in lichenometry. In a preliminary study, we measured the widths of the successive marginal rings in 25 thalli of Ochrolechia parella (L.) Massal., growing at a maritime site in north Wales. Mean ring widths of all thalli varied from a minimum of 1.02 mm (the outermost ring) to a maximum of 2.06 mm (the third ring from the margin). There is some suggestion that marginal ring width and thallus size are positively correlated; and hence that growth rates increase in larger thalli in this small population. In a further study on recently exposed bedrock adjacent to Breiðarlon, SE Iceland, we examined the potential for using marginal growth rings to estimate thallus age of a lichen tentatively identified as a Rhizocarpon (possibly R. concentricum (Davies) Beltram.) and thus confirm the timing of surface exposure (c. 50 years). Collectively, these results suggest: 1) the measurement of marginal rings is a possible alternative method of studying the growth of crustose lichens; 2) O. parella may grow differently to other crustose species, exhibiting a rapidly increasing radial growth rate in thalli >40 mm; 3) where lichens with marginal rings grow on recently exposed surfaces (<60 yrs), minimum age estimates can be made using growth rings as an in situ indication of lichen growth rate; 4) it is suggested that this phenomenon could provide a valuable, previously unexploited, in situ lichenometric-dating tool in areas lacking calibration control. Article in Journal/Newspaper Iceland Natural Environment Research Council: NERC Open Research Archive Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography 92 1 141 147 |
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Open Polar |
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Natural Environment Research Council: NERC Open Research Archive |
op_collection_id |
ftnerc |
language |
English |
topic |
Earth Sciences |
spellingShingle |
Earth Sciences Armstrong, Richard A. Bradwell, Tom The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings |
topic_facet |
Earth Sciences |
description |
Certain species of crustose lichens have concentrically zoned margins which probably represent yearly growth rings. These marginal growth rings offer an alternative method of studying annual growth fluctuations, establishing growth rate–size curves, and determining the age of thalli for certain crustose species. Hence, marginal growth rings represent a potentially valuable, unexploited, tool in lichenometry. In a preliminary study, we measured the widths of the successive marginal rings in 25 thalli of Ochrolechia parella (L.) Massal., growing at a maritime site in north Wales. Mean ring widths of all thalli varied from a minimum of 1.02 mm (the outermost ring) to a maximum of 2.06 mm (the third ring from the margin). There is some suggestion that marginal ring width and thallus size are positively correlated; and hence that growth rates increase in larger thalli in this small population. In a further study on recently exposed bedrock adjacent to Breiðarlon, SE Iceland, we examined the potential for using marginal growth rings to estimate thallus age of a lichen tentatively identified as a Rhizocarpon (possibly R. concentricum (Davies) Beltram.) and thus confirm the timing of surface exposure (c. 50 years). Collectively, these results suggest: 1) the measurement of marginal rings is a possible alternative method of studying the growth of crustose lichens; 2) O. parella may grow differently to other crustose species, exhibiting a rapidly increasing radial growth rate in thalli >40 mm; 3) where lichens with marginal rings grow on recently exposed surfaces (<60 yrs), minimum age estimates can be made using growth rings as an in situ indication of lichen growth rate; 4) it is suggested that this phenomenon could provide a valuable, previously unexploited, in situ lichenometric-dating tool in areas lacking calibration control. |
format |
Article in Journal/Newspaper |
author |
Armstrong, Richard A. Bradwell, Tom |
author_facet |
Armstrong, Richard A. Bradwell, Tom |
author_sort |
Armstrong, Richard A. |
title |
The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings |
title_short |
The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings |
title_full |
The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings |
title_fullStr |
The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings |
title_full_unstemmed |
The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings |
title_sort |
use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings |
publisher |
Wiley-Blackwell |
publishDate |
2010 |
url |
http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10287/ https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10287/1/ARMSTRONG_BRADWELL_2010B_nora.pdf http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/123305252/issue |
genre |
Iceland |
genre_facet |
Iceland |
op_relation |
https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/10287/1/ARMSTRONG_BRADWELL_2010B_nora.pdf Armstrong, Richard A.; Bradwell, Tom. 2010 The use of lichen growth rings in lichenometry : some preliminary findings. Geografiska Annaler Series A Physical Geography, 92 (1). 141-147. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2010.00383.x <https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2010.00383.x> |
op_doi |
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0459.2010.00383.x |
container_title |
Geografiska Annaler: Series A, Physical Geography |
container_volume |
92 |
container_issue |
1 |
container_start_page |
141 |
op_container_end_page |
147 |
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1766041854161190912 |