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Distribution of Arboreal Lichens Relative to Snowpack

Distribution of Arboreal Lichens Relative to Snowpack. Zack Schubert EBIO 4100-570: Winter Ecology Spring 2011 Mountain Research Station, U. of Colorado, Boulder. Outline. Background Methods Results Interpretation Conclusion. Background. Background.

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Distribution of Arboreal Lichens Relative to Snowpack

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  1. Distribution of Arboreal Lichens Relative to Snowpack Zack Schubert EBIO 4100-570: Winter Ecology Spring 2011 Mountain Research Station, U. of Colorado, Boulder

  2. Outline • Background • Methods • Results • Interpretation • Conclusion

  3. Background

  4. Background • How does snowpack affect the distribution of arboreal lichens? • Sun, wind, moisture, temperature

  5. Advantages of supranivean • Availability of sunlight

  6. Advantages of subnivean • Availability of moisture • Lack of exposure (wind, cold)

  7. Current Research • Long-term burial leads to mortality (Benedict 1990) • Majority of moisture from snowmelt (Campbell 2001) • Lichen abundance decreases with the host tree’s distance from water (Rambo 2010) (Rambo 2010)

  8. Methods

  9. Methods • One 15 m x 6 m transect • Random selection from satellite image of area • Mainly aspen with some pine • All trees sampled MRS

  10. Methods • Visual inspection for lichens • Snow dug away on lichen-positive trees • Height above or below top of snowpack • No measurements on second trip

  11. Results

  12. Few lichens below snow

  13. Disturbed bark of aspens Lichen-negative Lichen-positive

  14. Bare branches of conifer

  15. Interpretation

  16. Few lichens in the subnivean • Insufficient sunlight • Insufficient substrate • Age • Too much moisture (Campbell 2001) • Decomposition (Coxson 2002)

  17. Further Research • Different lichens at different heights (Campbell 2001) • Occurrence on conifers • Preference for disturbed aspen bark • Color/Temperature • Texture

  18. Conclusion

  19. Lichens in Relation to Snowpack • Lichens prefer a supranivean environment • Lichens prefer areas of disturbed bark on aspen trees • Questions?

  20. Literature Cited Benedict, James B. 1990. Lichen mortality due to late-lying snow: results of a transplant study. Arctic and Alpine Research22: 81-89. Campbell, J., D.S. Coxson. 2001. Canopy microclimate and arboreallichen loading in subalpine spruce-fir forest. Canadian Journal of Botany79-5: 537-555. Coxson, D.S., M. Curteanu. 2002. Decomposition of hair lichens (Alectoriasarmentosa and Bryoria spp.) under snowpack in montane forest, Cariboo Mountains, British Columbia. Lichenologist34-5: 395. Rambo, T.R.. 2010. Habitat preferences of an arboreal forage lichen in a Sierra Nevada old-growth mixed-conifer forest. Canadian Journal of Forest Research40-6: 1034-1041.

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