Distribution and Succession of Lichens Associated with Prunus Spinosa at Dungeness, England

Abstract

The distribution and succession of epiphytic and other associated lichens on blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) growing on the shingle at Dungeness is described. Some 33 epiphytic species, which exhibited a range of ecological strategies from pioneer to late colonizers, were recorded. Both the rate of change of status (age) of blackthorns and the progress of lichen colonization seemed to depend on whether the bushes were growing directly on shingle or on adjacent alluvial soil; both processes seeming to be more rapid on the former substratum. Terricolous lichens, of which 18 were recorded, generally appeared late in the succession and mostly amongst bushes growing on shingle. Rabbits often invaded the blackthorns, especially those on alluvium, and probably contributed to the lack of terrestrial lichens under these bushes. Blackthorns growing on shingle tended to be more prostrate in form than those on alluvium.