BIOINDICATION OF AIR-POLLUTION BY EPIPHYTIC LICHENS IN FOREST DECLINESTUDIES IN SLOVENIA

Initial studies were based on mapping of cover and frequency of crusto se, foliose and fructicose epiphytic lichens on trees and these were a lso assessed for decline symptoms. Since 1985 the epiphytic lichen veg etation has been assessed by such methods and the results, expressed a s a lichen map of Slovenia were used as an air quality indicator for p lots of forest die-back inventory. In collaboration with lichenologist s from Graz University, Austria, all epiphytic lichen species were map ped in order to obtain better,measures of air quality in the area stud ied. Very polluted and clean, well preserved forest were investigated. From the material collected and determined, a lichen herbarium has be en established in the Slovenian Forestry Institute. Possibilities for further research and the use of epiphytic lichens as air quality indic ators are discussed.