Direct Measurement of Lichen Growth in the Central Brooks Range, Alaska, U.S.A., and Its Application to Lichenometric Dating

Haworth LA, Calkin PE, Ellis JM. 1986. Direct Measurement of Lichen Growth in the Central Brooks Range, Alaska, U.S.A., and Its Application to Lichenometric Dating. Arctic and Alpine Research. 18(3):289-296

The growth of 92 Rhizocarpon geographicum s.l. and 57 Alectoria minuscula Nyl. lichens was measured over 4 to 6 yr in the Atigun Pass region of the central Brooks Range, Alaska. Absolute growth rates of R. geographicum s.l. were inversely related to thallus diameter and ranged from 0.35 to near 0 mm yr-1. In contrast, A. minuscula growth rates were directly related to diameter and ranged from 0.14 to 2.01 mm yr-1. A growth curve derived from mean rates of R. geographicum s.l. growth is similar to the indirectly controlled lichenometric dating curve for this region, but cannot yet be used to modify ages assigned to Holocene deposits. The derived growth curve for A. minuscula closely resembles those from the eastern Canadian Arctic.

Type
Journal Article
Authors
Haworth, Leah; Calkin, Parker; Ellis, James
Units
GAAR
Keywords
Gates Of The Arctic National Park And Preserve

Series

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