Lichen biodiversity and human impact on dunal ecosystem: a case study on the distribution of the rare lichen species Seirophora villosa in the forest reserve of Castelvolturno (Caserta, Southern Italy)

Along the Tyrrhenian coast, in Caserta province, the priority habitat "coastal dunes with Juniperus sp." is well represented, though in a somehow patchy pattern. Since 1977, the "State Reserve of Castelvolturno" is a 268 ha protected area owned to the State Forest Service. In this area, the rare lichen Seirophora villosa (Ach.) Frödén, an endangered species indicator of ecological continuity, was recently found. A census of lichen epiphytic flora was conducted in the Juniperus stands of this area, in order to ascertain their naturalness level and to identify the most relevant factors linked to Seirophora distribution. The work is aimed at studying how biotic and abiotic factors affect the distribution of this species, also to define better criteria to use it as a new indicator of ecological continuity in protected areas.