Biological responses to aridity in Mediterranean ecosystems: Stress and adaptation in mosses and lichens

This work summarizes a selection of researches carried out with the contribution of the University of Pisa and related to the early responses of mosses and lichens to arid conditions in Mediterranean ecosystems. The following topics have been highlighted, with their implications for environmental management: 1) effects of aridity on the ecophysiology of biological soil crusts (mosses and lichens); 2) effects of habitat fragmentation and aridity on sensitive forest macrolichens; 3) combined effects of eutrophication and dry conditions in sensitive and tolerant lichens in Mediterranean ecosystems.