Assessing Biodiversity of Native Lichen in Parks Along Major Interstates of Davidson County

Authors

• Leslie De Leon, Belmont UniversityFollow
• Ross Andrew, Belmont UniversityFollow

Publication Date

11-2026

College

College of Sciences & Mathematics

Department

Biology, Department of

SURS Faculty Advisor

Ross Andrew

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Abstract

Lichens are unique biological entities formed through a symbiotic partnership between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, such as algae or cyanobacteria. This mutualistic relationship allows lichens to survive in diverse environments and colonize a variety of substrates. Previous studies have examined air pollution at broad spatial scales and its impact on human health; however, less is understood about how air pollution and its potential ecological effects vary in areas surrounding major interstate highways. As biological indicators, lichens can provide insight into environmental conditions and air quality due to their sensitivity to atmospheric pollutants. This study examined lichen diversity and distribution in parks surrounding I-65 and I-24 in Nashville, Tennessee. Data were collected through citizen science observations, field identification, and measurements of lichen abundance and distribution across selected sampling locations. Geographic information systems (GIS) were also utilized to evaluate spatial associations between lichen diversity and proximity to major interstate highways. We hypothesize that areas experiencing greater anthropogenic activity will exhibit a higher relative abundance of pollution-tolerant lichen species. Preliminary results indicate that areas closer to interstates have higher Lichen coverage on substrates with lower species richness. By examining these spatial patterns, this research aims to provide insight into the potential ecological effects of urban transportation infrastructure on lichen communities.

Recommended Citation

De Leon, Leslie and Andrew, Ross, "Assessing Biodiversity of Native Lichen in Parks Along Major Interstates of Davidson County" (2026). Science University Research Symposium (SURS). 371.
https://repository.belmont.edu/surs/371