Ecophysiological Changes of Pseudevernia furfuracea Transplants: An Effective Tool for Monitoring Anthropogenic Impacts

A five-year biomonitoring program (2019-2024) was conducted around a 15 MW Biomass Power Plant (BPP) by means of a network of transplants of the epiphytic lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea. It consisted of an easily replicable experimental design, especially by state environmental agencies, using only physiological state parameters as tracers of environmental change. Detection of the facility contribution to the deterioration of air quality in the study area was performed using: a) geographic sectors, b) kilometer bands, c) absolute station distance, and d) the Potential Number of Times the Wind passing through the point source zone Reaches each Stations (PNTWRS). It is noteworthy that the most compelling evidence for the impact-enhancing role of BPP was observed during a pandemic. This finding suggests a significant confounding effect of pollution sources at the local scale. All factors contributed to changes in transplant physiology, except geographic sectors. However, kilometer bands and PNTWRS showed superior performance. The parameters most frequently and intensely affected by exposure in the selected area were membrane damage (EC%), and peroxidation levels (TBArs), which showed a five-year mean increase of 230% and 155%, respectively, vs. Lichen Origin Area (LOA), although with considerable annual variation, while photobiont was significantly impaired (-36% vs. LOA) only in 2024. We consider such an outcome to be a valuable result, supporting the hypothesis that monitoring lichen ecophysiology may facilitate the detection of both interannual changes in air quality and the contribution of point source development.