| Delineation of the Inland Rainforest |
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| Investigators |
| Toby Spribille, Ecological Consultant, Fortine, MT
Trevor Goward, Enlichened Consulting, Inc, Clearwater, BC. |
What is the Issue? |
| IDENTIFYING A UNIQUE ECOSYSTEM FOR CONSERVATION |
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The inland regions of BC, Washington, Idaho and Montana have developed forests whose structure and biological composition is very similar to the Pacific Coastal rainforests. These areas are called the interior Pacific Northwest, interior wet belt, or the inland rainforest. A workable definition and a determination of the geographic area of the inland rainforest would help to fully understand the phenomenon and assist in conservation efforts. Tree-dwelling lichens and bryophytes (mosses) are highly sensitive indicators of climatic conditions, and can be used to identify core and outlying areas of the inland rainforest. |
What is our goal? |
| To provide a scientific background for efforts to conserve biologically diverse inland rainforest habitats.
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Where we currently stand. |
| The research area will encompass the region from central Idaho to the Prince George region of BC, east of the Coast/Cascade Mountains and west of the Great Plains. Mapping the distribution of key lichen and bryophyte species will provide a foundation for identifying and describing the inland rainforest including evaluating connectivity between rainforest areas and dependant species, identifying patterns of rainforest distribution and providing information for a species-based conservation effort. This study will result in a detailed report including a specimen database and maps, as well as a published summary of research results. Fieldwork will begin in the spring and summer of 2001, and the final report should be completed and submitted for review by early spring of 2002. |
You can help this project - find out how. |
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