Lichens and atmospheric pollution ISTITUTO “S. G. BOSCO” Viadana (MN) - ITALY Lichens and atmospheric pollution 4th meeting in Somonino - Poland 11 – 17 October 2009 THE RESULTS OF OUR MONITORING

We decided to monitor these areas: 1. Viadana (the parking area near our school + public garden in the centre of the town) 2. Garda Lake (Sirmione and neighbourhood) 3. Green Oasis (private area 10 km far from Viadana and its neighbourhood - Cavallara) We rejected other areas where lichens don‘t grow for many reasons. One of these reasons is the poplar cultivation. These plants are particularly diffused in our area but they are often strongly treated with fungicides and parasites poisons. We found a real Lichen-desert not in the city centre but in the poplar wood near the river Po and its tributaries.

1st STATION Parking area near our school 19 th March 2009 directions … Let’s go! 1st STATION Parking area near our school

Car Park near our school Viadana Car Park near our school

Viadana (1st STATION) Car Park near our school No presence of fruticose lichens Average total frequency (crustose and foliose forms) 22

Viadana centre 44° 55’ 41,9”N 10° 31’ 13,9”E 44° 55’ 36,9”N

WE WORKED IN THE MAIN SQUARE Observation and identification of the species of lichens by using a simplified systematic key.

… AND IN THE GARDEN Filling-in of forms for the collection of data.

Viadana (2nd STATION) No presence of fruticose lichens Central Square and Park No presence of fruticose lichens Average total frequency (for crustose and foliose forms) 21

Let’s go Sirmione 26/05/2009 Directions …. Classe 1A - ITIS The class took part in an excursion to Sirmione, a lovely resort on Lake Garda with a traffic-free town centre. 45° 29’ 12,9” N 10° 36’ 36,9” E Directions …. Let’s go

1st STATION (CAR PARK) Trees in Sirmione car park. Tilia n.3 Tilia n.4 2 3 1 L A KE 4 5 Tilia n.5 Tilia n.2 45° 29’ 09,9” N 10° 36’ 34,9” E

TREE N.2

TREE N.3

SIRMIONE (1st STATION) Car Park No presence of fruticose lichens Average total frequency (for crustose and foliose forms) 39

(northern part of Sirmione) 2nd STATION (northern part of Sirmione) 45° 29’ 53,9” N 10° 36’ 15,9” E Olive tree: not suitable for our work 45° 29’ 53,9” N 10° 36’ 18,9” E

3rd STATION Thermal bath park

45° 29’ 42,0” N 10° 36’ 18,9” E

OUR CONCLUSIONS 3rd AREA 1st STATION We decided these areas: green Oasi A private green oasis very close to Viadana N.1 (95 cm) 18 April – We chose and took pictures of 3 trees (Quercus farnia) in a private wood of Quercus 44° 59’ 01,9” N 10° 38’ 24,9”E 44° 59’ 00,9” N 10° 38’ 24,00”E N.2 (88 cm) N.3 (77 cm)

CAVALLARA (1st STATION) No presence of fruticose lichens Average total frequency (for crustose and foliose forms) 27

2nd STATION 44° 59’ 15,00” N 10° 38’ 36,9” E TILIA N.7 - 8 - 9 1st STATION 44° 59’ 15,00” N 10° 38’ 36,9” E CAVALLARA, 10/06/09 2nd STATION TILIA N.7 - 8 - 9

CAVALLARA (2nd STATION) No presence of fruticose lichens Average total frequency (for crustose and foliose forms) 25