Lichen Recolonization Following Air Quality Improvement

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Abstract
Air quality improvement near a coal-fired power plant led to recolonization of P. caperata (L.) Ach. in a pollution-induced void area. Recolonization was first observed about 4 yr after pollution abatement. Least affected sites, i.e., near the edge of the original void, were first to recover while most-affected sites were slowest to recover. After 8 yr of improved air quality, the distribution of P. caperata returned to near normal. Lichen biomonitoring is useful not only to detect the effects of poor air quality but to document air quality improvement as well.