Lichen Community Structure in Zion National Park
Rushforth SR, St. Clair LL, Brotherson JD, Nebeker GT. 1982. Lichen Community Structure in Zion National Park. The Bryologist. 85(2):185-192
"The saxicolous and corticolous lichen communities in Zion National Park were surveyed. A total of six sampling sites were established in Zion Canyon with a seventh site in Coalpits Wash, 22 km south of Zion National Park Visitor Center. Data analyses indicated that the lichen floras on each substrate were unique. Of the saxicolous substrates sampled, species diversity was highest on sandstone boulders. Lichen floras on Populus fremontii, Quercus gambelii and Acer grandidentatum showed the greatest diversity of the corticolous substrates. The lichen flora of Zion Canyon includes a relatively high percentage of foliose and fruticose lichen species. This is especially evident when this flora is compared with floras of other arid environments. This phenomenon is likely attributable to the unique microclimatic features of the canyon." [from Biological Sciences]
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Rushforth, Samuel; St. Clair, Larry; Brotherson, Jack; Nebeker, Glen
- Units
- ZION
- Keywords
- Air Quality, Atmospheric Sciences, Classification, Distribution, Inventory, Lichen (Mycophycophyta), Monitoring, Non-Vascular Plants, Plant Communities, Plant Studies, Pollution, Research & Studies