| Bryophytes and Lichens of a Hypermaritime Bog in B.C. |
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| Investigators |
| Dr. Jim Pojar, B.C. Forest Service
Patrick Williston M.Sc., Mnium Ecological Research
Allen Banner, B.C. Forest Service
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What is the Issue? |
| INFORMATION GAPS FOR INDIGENOUS FLORA, FOREST HEALTH |
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The purpose of this study is to document the floristics and distributional ecology of bryophytes and lichens in a region that has not as yet been thoroughly investigated. Such ecosystems are increasingly uncommon throughout the world and the sample area chosen presents the researchers with a unique opportunity to gather baseline data in an ecosystem largely undisturbed by humans. Information gathered through the course of the study will give insight into the richness and complexity of northern coastal ecosystems and will contribute much-needed information to the research database of the bryophyte and lichen populations of the mainland north coast of British Columbia.
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What is our goal? |
| UNDERSTANDING THE ECOLOGY OF THE HYPERMARATIME BOGS OF BC. CREATING A COMPREHENSIVE DATABASE OF THE BRYOPHYTES AND LICHENS.
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| Bryophytes and Lichens of the Hypermaritime Bog Woodland/Upland Forest Complex, North Coastal British Columbia. |
Where we currently stand. |
| This study commenced in early 2000 and will run for several years. During the summer of 2000, approximately 1000 specimens were collected. In addition to the collections made in bogs and woodlands, epiphytic species were collected from red cedar, yellow cedar, and shore pine growing in upland forests. Among the collections were numerous species of the poorly known stubble lichens, the calicioids, none of which had been previously documented in BC's coastal bogs. These lichens have proven to be effective indicators of forest antiquity in other ecosystems and were not expected in open bog woodlands due to their aversion to direct precipitation. Many lichens, such as those belonging to the genus Hypogymnia, showed strong affinities to their host tree species while others showed a preference for a specific vertical distribution within the canopy. Another notable discovery was a small population of the provincially red-listed orchid Hammarbya (Malaxis) paludosa. Complete analysis of the distributional ecology of all species awaits identification of the collections, which will occur over the winter months. A final report will be prepared before the end of March, 2001.
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You can help this project - find out how. |
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