Abstract Detail

Bryology and Lichenology

Meyer, Abigail [1], Glauser, Abby [2], Stanton, Daniel [3].

Epiphyte Cover Varies with Height and Forest Type Across a Temperate to Boreal Ecotone.

Climate is a strong driver of lichen and bryophyte cover composition. Abiotic factors such as moisture availability and temperature extremes largely determine the morphology, biomass and diversity of epiphytic communities across environmental gradients. Lichens and bryophytes grow in response to microclimatic factors as well, and because different forest types harbor different light, moisture and substrate availability, unique forest types within the same macroclimate may have strong differences in their epiphyte assemblages. Even within a given forest type, microclimate may affect lichen and bryophyte cover differently depending on height along an individual tree bole. As part of a broader project investigating ecosystem services provided by lichens and bryophytes in Minnesota forests, we studied the variation in cover of lichens and bryophytes at two heights on tree boles across different forest types. We present results from fifteen plots in eight different forest types across the deciduous-boreal forest ecotone. Each plot included twelve trees that were sampled within microplots along a north-south and east-west transect. Percent cover of each lichen and bryophyte species or functional group was sampled on a given tree within a 50 x 20cm quadrat at 1.5m and 0m on both the north and south sides of a tree. This data is used to test the following hypotheses: 1) there are significant differences in percent cover of lichens and bryophytes at both 1.5m and 0m between different Minnesota forest types, and 2) the percent cover ratio between 1.5 and 0m is consistent across Minnesota forest types.To analyze percent cover data, linear mixed effects models were used to test the fixed effects of forest type on epiphyte percent cover at 1.5m, 0m and the cover ratio between these two areas. We found a significant effect of forest type in percent cover at both 1.5m and 0m, even within the same sampling location. This effect of forest type is more marked at 1.5m than at 0m. There also appears to be no significant difference in the cover ratio between 1.5m and 0m in forest types that have been sampled. Data to be collected this summer will include increased replication of forest types that have already been sampled and the addition of forest types that are not represented by the current data set. This data will help us understand lichen and bryophyte cover as it responds to microclimate difference in Minnesota forest types.

1 - University of Minnesota - Twin Cities, Ecology, Evolution and Behaivor, 140 Gortner Laboratory, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, US
2 - University Of Minnesota, 1479 Gortner Avenue, 140 Gortner Laboratory, St. Paul, MN, 55108, United States
3 - University Of Minnesota, Ecology, Evolution And Behavior, 1479 Gortner Ave, Saint Paul, MN, 55108, United States

Keywords:
lichen
bryophyte
Quadrat Sampling
Minnesota.

Presentation Type: Poster
Session: P, Bryology and Lichenology Posters
Location: Arizona Ballroom/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 5:30 PM This poster will be presented at 5:30 pm. The Poster Session runs from 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm. Posters with odd poster numbers are presented at 5:30 pm, and posters with even poster numbers are presented at 6:15 pm.
Number: PBL011
Abstract ID:722
Candidate for Awards:None