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Abstract Detail


Lichens as Bioindicators of Air Quality

Jovan, Sarah [1], McCune, Bruce [1].

Biomonitoring Air Quality in California with the FIA Lichen Community Indicator: recent results for nitrogen, research needs, and future directions.

IN the wake of SO2 abatement, nitrogen (N) compounds are becoming increasingly important pollutants in industrialized countries. Recent results from the Forest Inventory and Analysis Program (FIA) Lichen Community Indicator suggest that many forests in northern and central California are exposed to potentially harmful levels of N-based pollutants. Using time-constrained surveys of epiphytic macrolichen communities, air quality bioindication models were derived for the greater Central Valley (98 plots) and the greater Sierra Nevada (GSN; 115 plots). Both models were built with nonmetric multidimensional scaling ordination and detected strong N deposition gradients to which ammonia is likely a major contributor. Letharia vulpina tissue was analyzed for N at 38 co-located sites in the GSN to further aid in model interpretation. N deposition hotspots and spatial patterns are described for the region. The success of large-scale biomonitoring efforts like those of the FIA Lichen Indicator rely heavily upon preexisting lichen-air quality research and the integration of these findings. As such, time will be taken to review known N effects on lichen communities and summarize major research needs in this field using our results from northern and central California as context. Strategies for refinement and further improvement to N bioindication models will also be discussed.


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1 - Oregon State University, Department of Botany & Plant Pathology, 2082 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331-2902, USA

Keywords:
nitrogen
air quality
lichens
California
bioindication
ammonia.

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: 32-3
Location: 277/Holt
Date: Tuesday, August 1st, 2006
Time: 9:15 AM
Abstract ID:599


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