Criptógamas epífitas como bioindicadores de la calidad de aire en el cantón Puyango, provincia de Loja

Abstract

Abstract: Bryophytes and lichens are widely used as bioindicators of air quality in temperate and tropical cities. Therefore, the diversity of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens was assessed in urban and rural areas of Puyango Canton. Ten trees were selected at each sampling site, where the presence and cover of epiphytic lichens and bryophytes were recorded. Changes in species richness, diversity, and community composition were analyzed using linear and multivariate models. A total of 28 species were identified, comprising 18 lichens and 10 bryophytes. The results indicated that species richness, diversity, and community composition did not differ significantly between the urban and rural areas. Thus, this study is the first in Ecuador to report that Eucalyptus globulus Labill. supports a representative diversity of lichens and bryophytes. These findings demonstrate that epiphytic lichens and bryophytes can be used as effective tools for biomonitoring air quality in Puyango.