Criptógamas epífitas (líquenes y briófitos) como indicadoras de la calidad del aire en la ciudad de Loj

Abstract

Abstract: Epiphytic cryptogams are considered indicators of air pollution at the level global, because it depends on external environmental conditions. The wealth was evaluated and composition of epiphytic cryptogams (bryophytes and lichens) as bioindicators of quality of the air in the city of Loja. 9 stations were selected, distributed in the three districts (South, Center and North). In each Schinus molle host tree, the frequency and coverage of bryophytes and epiphytic lichens. Changes in wealth by district was analyzed with the Kruskal-Wallis test and the species composition with analysis multivariate. A total of 23 species of epiphytic cryptogams were recorded, where the richness of species decreased in the central district compared to the northern and southern districts. The species composition pointed out that the lichen and bryophyte communities are different, but the lichen genera Candelaria, Parmotrema, Physcia, Ramalina, Teloschistes and Usnea, as well as the bryophyte genera Bryum, Fabronia, Orthotrichum and Frullania have been commonly reported urban areas.