Species diversity and floristic elements of the lichen family Cladoniaceae in China

We studied the species diversity, habitat, and floristic elements of the lichen family Cladoniaceae from southwest and north China according to field investigations and published literature. Results showed that there were 107 species, belonging to five genera. Cladina (Cl) was the dominant genus, accounting for 87.9% of total species. Among them, eight and three species were reported for the first time in Shanxi and Yunnan, respectively. Five habitat types were categorized:i.e., mossland, woodland, grassland, rocks and multi-habitats, with variety-habitats accounting for the highest proportion (49.5%). The floristic composition of lichen was diverse, with seven floristic elements identified, including Cosmopolitan element (excluded), Circumpolar element (37.8%), Pantropical element (12.2%), Eurasian element (6.1%), East Asian-North America element (9.8%), East Asian element (24.3%) and Chinese endemic element (9.8%).