We studied the effects of different mat-forming lichens on microclimate and litter decomposition in an alpine ecosystem where lichens constitute a major part of the vegetation. We used four lichens with contrasting colour and water-holding capacity. We recorded soil temperature and moisture, and decomposition rate of plant litter under the different lichen mats and in bare soil. While soil temperature and freeze-thaw cycles were reduced under all lichen mats compared to bare soil, Cladonia rangiferina/Cladonia stygia insulated stronger than other lichens. Litter decomposition was faster under Flavocetraria nivalis than under Alectoria ochroleuca, but this was not related to lichen traits or microclimate. We conclude that insulation by lichen mats is stronger with higher water-holding capacity, and we suggest that microbial communities associated with different lichens have a larger effect on litter decomposition than soil conditions. Our findings highlight the importance of mat-forming lichens on microclimate and ecosystem processes in alpine environments.

我们研究了不同垫层地衣对高山生态系统中小气候和凋落物分解的影响，其中地衣是植被的主要组成部分。我们使用了四个具有对比色和保水性的地衣。我们记录了不同地衣垫下和裸露土壤中的土壤温度和水分以及植物凋落物的分解速率。与裸土相比，在所有地衣垫下土壤温度和冻融循环都降低了，但Cladonia rangiferina / Cladonia stygia的绝缘性要强于其他地衣。凋落物的分解是快下Flavocetraria莲比下Alectoria ochroleuca，但这与地衣性状或小气候无关。我们得出的结论是，通过地衣垫的隔热作用更强，保水能力更高，并且我们认为与不同地衣相关的微生物群落对凋落物分解的影响要大于土壤条件。我们的研究结果突出了形成垫层的地衣对高山环境中的小气候和生态系统过程的重要性。