| Abstract Detail
Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS Root, Heather, T [1], McGee, Gregory, G. [1]. The effects of forest management on epiphytic lichen communities in the Adirondack Mountains of New York. WE sampled epiphytic lichen communities on Acer saccharum in the Adirondack Mountains of New York with the objective of understanding how lichen communities respond to silvicultural management strategies. Three management histories were considered: old growth, reserve shelterwood, and selection system, all of which included retention of several large trees. A total of 81 Acer saccharum trees were sampled intensively in nine stands using arborist techniques to access canopies. 52 macro-lichen taxa were sampled. Small (>15 cm dbh), medium (>35 cm dbh), and large (>55 cm dbh) Acer saccharum trees differed in average percent area covered by lichen and in lichen community composition, particularly in the crowns. Lichen community composition on small trees differed between old growth and reserve shelterwood stands. Likewise, large trees in reserve shelterwood supported differing lichen communities from those in old growth. Because reserve shelterwoods were cut from old growth and presumably originally supported old growth lichens, we conclude that the environmental conditions caused by the harvest were responsible for altering lichen community composition. Selection systems supported lichen communities indistinguishable from old growth. Lichen communities were also strongly related to height above the ground. Indicator species for large tree boles included Lobaria quercizans and Ramalina intermedia, however most indicators for large trees were canopy species such as Platismatia glauca, Cetrelia olivetorum, Usnea spp. and others. Nitrophilous species in the genera Physcia, Phaeophyscia and Melanelia were indicative of small trees and were especially prevalent in reserve shelterwoods.
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1 - SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Environmental and Forest Biology, 1 Forestry Dr., Syracuse, New York, 13210, USA
Keywords:
selection system
reserve shelterwood
forest management
Lobaria
Ramalina.
Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 53-6
Location: 266/Holt
Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Time: 3:15 PM
Abstract ID:132 |
