DISTRIBUTION AND SUCCESSION OF LICHENS ASSOCIATED WITH PRUNUS-SPINOSAAT DUNGENESS, ENGLAND

The distribution and succession of epiphytic and other associated lich ens on blackthorn (Prunus spinosa) growing on the shingle at Dungeness is described. Some 33 epiphytic species, which exhibited a range of e cological strategies from pioneer to late colonizers, were recorded. B oth the rare of change of status (age) of blackthorns and the progress of lichen colonization seemed to depend on whether the bushes were gr owing directly on shingle or on adjacent alluvial soil; both processes seeming to be more rapid on the former substratum. Terricolous lichen s, of which 18 were recorded, generally appeared late in the successio n and mostly amongst bushes growing on shingle. Rabbits often invaded the blackthorns, especially those on alluvium, and probably contribute d to the lack of terrestrial lichens under these bushes. Blackthorns g rowing on shingle tended to be more prostrate in form than those on al luvium. (C) 1996 The British Lichen Society