Lichens in the inland rainforest: Climate biomonitoring and population structure of Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.

Rapid climate change is predicted for British Columbia's Inland Temperate Rainforest (ITR). This research proposed that ITR lichens may be sensitive indicatorsof these changes and describes a climate biomonitoring protocol using arboreal lichen communities. Initial findings of 39macrolichen taxa are reported, including a number of rare species, such a Nephroma occultum Wetmore, N. isidiosum (Nyl.) Gyelnik, and Sticta oroborealis Goward & Tonsberg. Previous research suggests that the tripartite cyanolichen Lobaria pulmonaria (L.) Hoffm.is an important indicator species, however, little is known of its population dynamics in the ITR. In a retrospective study using dated branch segments, the size class distribution and reproductive status of L. pulmonariapopulations was measured on subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa Nutt.) and mountain alder (Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (Nutt.) Breitung)within ITR riparian zones.L. pulmonaria communities on fir and alder differed in many respects, especially in their total biomass, however, the number of thalli did not differ significantly between species along dated branch segments. Branch diameter was a significant predictor for the presence of reproductive thalli on subalpine fir, with branch age being a better predictor on mountain alder. Minimum generation times and maximum growth rates for L. pulmonaria in the ITR may be much faster than previously estimated elsewhere. --Leaf ii.