Archaeobotanical evidence for a massive loss of epiphyte species richness during industrialization in southern England

• Published in: Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences Vol. 278; no. 1724; pp. 3482 - 3489
• Main Authors: Ellis, Christopher J., Yahr, Rebecca, Coppins, Brian J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England The Royal Society 07.12.2011
• Subjects: Air Pollutants - toxicity; Ancient Woodland; Archaeology; Biodiversity; Biodiversity conservation; Biodiversity Loss; England; Environmental conservation; Environmental Monitoring; Environmental pollution; Epiphyte; Epiphytes; History, 18th Century; Industry; Lichen; Lichens; Lichens - classification; Lichens - physiology; Pollution; Species; Sulfur Dioxide - toxicity; Sulphur Dioxide; Timber; Woodlands; England; British Isles, England

This paper describes a novel archaeological resource—preserved epiphytes on the timber structure of vernacular buildings—used, to our knowledge, for the first time to quantify a loss of biodiversity between pre-industrial and post-industrial landscapes. By matching the confirmed occurrence of epiphy...