VDI 3957 Blatt 20:2017-07

Climate alterations influence living systems in many ways and thus, for example, may affect agriculture and forestry. Therefore, there is considerable interest not only to capture the changes in the climate, but also their effects on living organisms and ecosystems. Lichens might be used as a sensitive model and early warning system. The standard describes the standardised determination of the epiphytic lichen species occurring in an investigation area which are classified as climate change indicators. The determination of the temporal changes within the spectrum of lichen species enables detection, evaluation and documentation of climate change impacts on the biologically active environment related to a specific local or regional area. Since lichens do react promptly on climate changes by retraction or immigration they are exemplary for other members of ecosystems. Thus, climate-related changes, e.g. in the range of biodiversity, can also be expected for other groups of organisms.