A floristic survey of the canopy epiphyte communities inhabiting two old-growth conifers in Redwood National Park, California
Sillett SC, Sillett TS, Denison WC. 1989. A floristic survey of the canopy epiphyte communities inhabiting two old-growth conifers in Redwood National Park, California. Purchase order number 8480-9-0478
In order to survey the flora of tall-tree canopies, the authors used climbing gear on one Douglas-fir and one redwood in the Little Lost Man Creek Research Natural Area at Redwood National Park. This epiphyte study occurred in July and August 1989. The researchers found 5 mosses, 2 liverworts, and over 20 macrolichens. Of these, 12 (including 3 nitrogen-fixers) were exclusive to the Douglas-fir, with 1 species exclusive to the redwood. In both trees, more species were found on branches than on trunks. Comparisons with similar studies at two Oregon sites show 'striking differences,' and the report suggests explanations. This pilot study raised a number of questions, and specific recommendations for future research include investigating other species and trees in other parts of the park, biomonitoring for impacts of air pollution, and studying nutrient availability and bark characteristics. The many illustrations include comparison tables and graphs, tree maps, 6 appendix tables with percent epiphytic cover, an annotated species list of all epiphytes encountered in the canopy, and more.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Sillett, Stephen; Sillett, T; Denison, William
- Date of Issue
- 1989-12
- Units
- REDW
- Keywords
- Abundance (Biodiversity), Canopy, Checklist, Coast Redwood, Distribution (Biodiversity), Douglas-Fir, Epiphytes, Habitats, Hepaticopsida, Lichen, Little Lost Man Creek Research Natural Area, liverworts, Mosses, Musci, Mycophycophyta, Observations, Plant Studies, Presence (Biodiversity), Pseudotsuga menziesii, Sequoia sempervirens, Taxa Links To References, Vouchers