| Abstract Detail
Bryology and Lichenology Lauriault, Patrick [1], Wiersma, Yolanda [2]. Determining critical habitat for two sensitive cyanolichens in the Central Avalon Forest Ecoregion of Newfoundland, Canada. Boreal Felt lichen (Erioderma pedicellatum) and Vole Ears lichen (Erioderma mollissimum) are sensitive lichens that face threats of both air pollution and habitat destruction, as demonstrated by their decline in response to widespread deforestation in Scandinavia and Nova Scotia. However, the habitat for these lichens in Newfoundland is largely intact. This presents the opportunity to provide empirical evidence of what constitutes critical habitat for these species. The goal of this study is to help ensure the persistence of these two lichens, which are either globally endangered (E. pedicellatum) or classified as endangered under the Species-at-Risk Act of Canada (E. mollissimum). This study examined habitat characteristics at the stand and tree level to aid in future sampling measures as these species are cryptic and rare on the landscape, making them difficult to find. We collected the stand level measurements on paired presence/absence plots of 5 m in radius. The tree level habitat measurements took place on five trees within each plot in a point-quarter survey arrangement. Preliminary analyses have shown that, contrary to accepted opinion, these cyanolichens do not appear to be sensitive to natural or anthropogenic gaps. Other findings suggest that the distribution of these lichens is driven by tree level (microscale) differences in habitat rather than forest stand level parameters. Furthermore, we report 1 new occurrence of E. mollissimum and 124 new E. pedicellatum found in the summer field season of 2018.
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1 - Memorial University of Newfoundland, Biology, 9 Queens Road , St. John's, NL, A1C 2A2, Canada
2 - Memorial University of Newfoundland, Biology
Keywords:
none specified
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: LICH1, Lichenology
Location: San Pedro 2/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 3:45 PM
Number: LICH1009
Abstract ID:110
Candidate for Awards:None |
