Composition and Succession of Lichen Communities in an Inner Coastal Dune Area in Southern Sweden

Abstract

The cryptogamic vegetation, dominated by lichens, in a secondary coastal dune area is described. The Coelocaulon aculeatum community colonizes large exposed sand patches. The Cladonia glauca–C. mitts community colonizes where litter has accumulated. The Cladonia mitis and C. portentosa communities occupy more sheltered sites than the Coelocaulon aculeatum community. The scattered Cladonia zopfii community colonizes both exposed and slightly more sheltered sand patches. The common Cladonia uncialis–C. mitis community usually colonizes smaller sand patches with some humus accumulation than those colonized by the Coelocaulon aculeatum community. The Cladonia mitis, the C. portentosa and the Cladonia uncialis–C. mitis communities and probably the Cladonia zopfii community are suggested to be final stages in the lichen succession.