Notes on distribution and ecological preferences of Cladonia coccifera group members in the Czech Republic
Abstract
Recent distributions of Cladonia borealis, C. carneola, C. diversa, and C. straminea in the Czech Republic are summarized and their maps provided. Comments on ecological preferences of all Cladonia coccifera group members are presented.
C. straminea is the rarest species restricted to relict habitats (e.g. screes) in cold places, especially at high altitudes. C. pleurota represents the commonest species of the complex in the Czech Republic.
It tolerates shady habitats in contrast to other red-fruited members of the group. C. coccifera is quite common in mountain regions but rare in areas with mild climates.
C. diversa is another common species but it differs in its ecological preferences. It occurs in xerothermic grasslands, heathlands, dumps, and on sand and on sandstone rocks.
C. borealis is tolerant of ultrabasic (serpentinite) substrata and most of its localities reported here are in Western Bohemia. Cladonia carneola is a rare species and occurs mainly on rotten wood in mountain areas