A lichen biomonitoring program to protect resources in the National Capital Region by detecting air quality effects
Lawrey JD. 2011. A lichen biomonitoring program to protect resources in the National Capital Region by detecting air quality effects. Natural Resource Technical Report. NPS/NCRN/NRTR—2011/450. National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. Fort Collins, Colorado
Lichens are commonly used as biomonitors of air quality, and for this reason over 30 lichen biomonitoring projects have been done in areas managed by the National Park Service (NPS). This project established 102 permanent study plots at approved locations in nine park units of the National Capital Region (NCR) of the NPS, including CATO, CHOH, GWMP, HAFE, MANA, NAMA, NACE, ROCR, and PRWI. At each permanent plot, baseline floristic lichen surveys were done during 2004-2006 to assess community structure and diversity for comparison with ecologically similar areas. In addition, concentrations of elements (Hg, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd, Cr, S) were measured for one target lichen species (Flavoparmelia caperata) collected at each plot. A selection of the plots were located at sites where samples have been collected in the past, some dating to the turn of the 20th century. Over 700 voucher specimens were identified and curated for the project, including specimens of 45 bark-inhabiting macrolichen species. Pollutionsensitive species were found in most park units except those closest to the center of Washington, D.C., but they are apparently not common. Many of the dominant species are nitrophilous and/or pollution-tolerant species commonly observed throughout the eastern United States. Elemental analyses revealed no significant hot spots of pollution in the region. Concentrations of sulfur, Pb and Cu were significantly lower in lichens from PRWI than in those from other park units. Taken together, the floristic and element data suggest that nitrophilous, relatively pollution-tolerant lichen communities have developed over time in the NCR, probably the result of poor air quality in the past century and only slight improvement since. These results are consistent with those of several recent studies that analyzed lichen community patterns and/or element content in the mid-Atlantic region.?
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Lawrey, James
- Date of Issue
- 2011-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science
- Units
- CATO , CHOH , GWMP , HAFE , MANA , MONO , NACE , NAMA , NRSS , PRWI , ROCR
- Keywords
- Atmospheric Deposition, bioindicator, Biomonitor, Fungi, Lichens
- Subjects
- Ecological Framework: Air and Climate | Air Quality | Ozone , Ecological Framework: Biological Integrity | Focal Species or Communities | Forest/Woodland Communities