Biomass elemental composition of some lichen species in the boreal zone of European north-east

The data on the content of organic carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, macro - and microelements in the thalli of 17 lichen species in the middle taiga on the territory of the Komi Republic were presented. The contents of C, H and O in dry weight of thalli were 35-42, 44-50 and 6-7% respectively, and did not depended on the photobiont type. The concentrations of the nutrients were varied widely. Maximal nitrogen concentration was 40 mg and minimal was about 4 mg /g dry mass. The concentrations of other macronutrients were ten times lower. Cyanolichens accumulated more N, P and K than that of chlorolichens. The correlations for pairs of macro- (K - P, K - N, P - N, Mg - Ca, Mg - K) and microelements (Fe - Al, Cd - Cu, Cu - Fe, Cu - Al) were revealed. The lichen thalli were characterized by low concentrations of heavy metals, that indicate the absence of industrial or urban pollution of the traits investigated habitats. The obtained results complement and deepen the characteristics of the lichen biota, can be used for bioindication of the environment and for an assessment of а the role of lichens in mineral cycle of boreal ecosystems.