Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2011
The general environmental factors controlling the epiphytic vegetation on birch are discussed, as is the physio-chemical nature of birch bark as a substratum for epiphytes (especially lichens). In terms of species diversity, birch is found to be a poor host (phorophyte) for epiphytes and various reasons (e.g. low bark pH) for this are suggested. The lichen communities commonly encountered on different parts of a birch tree in different situations in the British Isles are summarized. Annotated appendices provide lists of the lichens (235 species) and bryophytes (58 species) recorded on Betula in the British Isles.