In forest ecosystems, the microclimate plays a crucial role in determining the distribution of organisms and regulating key ecological processes. Among these, non-vascular epiphytic communities such as lichens and bryophytes are particularly sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity and make a significant contribution to water and energy exchanges within the forest. However, their role in the functioning of forest ecosystems is often overlooked. This talk explores the role of the forest microclimate in shaping non-vascular epiphytic communities and their responses to environmental variability. It will present results from recent studies analyzing the mechanisms of water and heat regulation in lichens and bryophytes at the community level, including through the use of innovative techniques such as hyperspectral imaging and thermography. Finally, the role of lichen communities as micro-refugia for other epiphytic organisms will be discussed, highlighting how epiphyte composition can influence biotic interactions and contribute to the functioning of forest ecosystems in the context of climate change.
Giulia Canali is an environmental biologist who has been working on lichens since 2019. Her research combines biology, ecology and ecophysiology to investigate the influence of microclimate on lichen distribution, their physiological responses, and the ecological interactions within non-vascular epiphytic communities.
The event can also be followed online on the Museum’s YouTube channel.
