A PRELIMINARY LICHEN FIRE HISTORY (LFH) KEY FOR THE CERRADO OF THE DISTRITO FEDERAL, CENTRAL BRAZIL

It was established from previous work that lichen abundance, distribut ion and recolonization, and lichen species composition, can clearly be correlated to the frequency and behaviour of past fires in areas of c errado vegetation. Using these various responses of lichens, at both t he community and species level, a Lichen Fire History (LFH) Key is con structed. An appraisal of the LFH Key, summarizing its effectiveness a nd applicability, are given and suggestions for further research into testing and improving the Key are proposed. This study suggests that t he technique of using lichen keys for detecting fire history is not li mited to savannas, and could be applied to any ecosystem in which fire plays a dominant role, and where the woody vegetation supports an abu ndant lichen community.