Effects of Chronic Gamma Irradiation on Lichen Communities of a Forest

Chronic gamma irradiation of an oak-pine forest on Long Island reduced populations of corticolous and terrestrial lichens in approximate proportion to the rate of irradiation. The decline in species diversity was approximately linearly related to logarithmic increases in daily radiation exposure. While a daily exposure of 2700 R/day was estimated to have reduced diversity to 50% in the first year, a linear extrapolation of diversity, coefficient of community and similarity curves to zero suggested that certain lichens would survive 3 years' exposure at daily rates of 5,000–10,000 R, possibly more. There was an apparent threshold at 300 R/day for radiation effects on the composition of lichen communities; changes in relative density occurred at lower exposures. The crustose forms were more resistant than foliose or fruticose forms, an observation which parallels previous observations that the most radio-resistant higher plants tend to be of short, stature.