| Abstract Detail
Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS Shrestha, Gajendra [1], St. Clair, Larry L. [2]. The Lichen Flora of Southwest Colorado, USA. This research reports on the lichen flora of the San Juan-Rio Grande National Forest, southwest Colorado, USA. This survey is based on extensive collections made between 1993 and 1998, as part of an air pollution bio-monitoring program and baseline. Southwest Colorado is a biologically diverse and habitat rich portion of the state of Colorado. Community types include arid, low-elevation shrublands, riparian communities, mid-elevation woodlands, upper elevation coniferous forests, and extensive alpine tundra. Lichen communities along the Colorado Front Range and adjacent portions of the Rocky Mountains have been studied for more than a half century; however, lichen communities in the western half of the state and particularly the southwest corner of the state are largely unknown. Based on our research we have identified a total of 319 species in 110 genera from 32 sites in southwest Colorado. Thirty-four species are reported as new records for the state of Colorado. The lichen flora for this region is diverse and well developed. Species representing all growth forms and substrates are well represented. The flora is dominated by foliose species (44%), followed by crustose taxa (35%), squamulose species (14%), with fruticose species at 7%. Lichens were sampled from all habitats and substrates including soil/moss, rock, bark/lignum, and other lichens (with 45% on rock, 25% on bark/lignum, 29% on soil/moss, and 1% on other lichens). The diversity of lichen species reported for this area reflects the complexity and variation in habitat and environmental parameters characteristic of southwest Colorado. This information will prove valuable for future bio-monitoring of potential air quality-related impact on the lichen communities of this rapidly developing and potentially vulnerable region of Colorado.
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1 - Brigham Young University, Department of Biology and M.L. Bean Life Science Museum, 193 M.L. Bean Life Science Museum, Provo, Utah, 84602, USA
2 - Brigham Young University, Biology Department and M.L. Bean Life Science Museum, 290 M.L. Bean Life Science Museum, Provo, Utah, 84602, USA
Keywords:
lichens
Southwest Colorado
San Juan - Rio Grande National Forest
Floristic survey.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for BSA Sections
Session: P2
Location: Event Tent/Cliff Lodge
Date: Tuesday, July 28th, 2009
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: P2BL004
Abstract ID:390 |
