Abstract: Northwest Scientific Association conference, March 26-29, 2019, Lewis – Clark State College, Lewiston, Idaho
Presented by: Andrea Pipp, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana
The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) is the central database for Montana plant and animal species. The first documented non-vascular surveys for Mussellshell County was conducted by Northwest Lichenologists at a private livestock ranch, September 13-15, 2016. Across 15,000 acres of rolling grasslands bisected by rock outcrops and pine stands, 8 specialists surveyed 10 sites located on State, BLM, and privately-owned parcels. Approximately 97 moss observations representing 29 species were databased; 86 specimens verified by Dr. Joe Elliott were deposited at the University of Montana (MONTU) herbarium. Noteworthy species included the first Montana records of Didymodon tectorum and Gemmabryum kunzei, the rare Pseudocrossidium obtusulum, and a Species of Concern Syntrichia papillosissima. Approximately 395 lichen observations representing about 118 species are being databased and will be deposited at MONTU. Preliminary reporting found at least five lichen species new to Montana. Approximately four cyanobacteria and no liverwort species were found. An exploratory study using the Ground Layer for Rangelands (GLIR) was implemented. This method applies non-destructive sampling to assess functional groups (not species) and estimates their biomass, carbon and nitrogen content at plot and landscape scales. On five plots representing different habitats, 12 functional groups of lichens, mosses, and cyanobacteria were found. Biomass, carbon and nitrogen content, functional groups, timing and stocking rates of cattle grazing will be presented. The MTNHP has posted a moss checklist with County distributions and a lichen checklist (http://mtnhp.org/). The “History, Biogeography, and Species of Montana Mosses (1880-2018)” will be published in Evansia (June 2019).
Presented by: Andrea Pipp, Montana Natural Heritage Program, Helena, Montana
The Montana Natural Heritage Program (MTNHP) is the central database for Montana plant and animal species. The first documented non-vascular surveys for Mussellshell County was conducted by Northwest Lichenologists at a private livestock ranch, September 13-15, 2016. Across 15,000 acres of rolling grasslands bisected by rock outcrops and pine stands, 8 specialists surveyed 10 sites located on State, BLM, and privately-owned parcels. Approximately 97 moss observations representing 29 species were databased; 86 specimens verified by Dr. Joe Elliott were deposited at the University of Montana (MONTU) herbarium. Noteworthy species included the first Montana records of Didymodon tectorum and Gemmabryum kunzei, the rare Pseudocrossidium obtusulum, and a Species of Concern Syntrichia papillosissima. Approximately 395 lichen observations representing about 118 species are being databased and will be deposited at MONTU. Preliminary reporting found at least five lichen species new to Montana. Approximately four cyanobacteria and no liverwort species were found. An exploratory study using the Ground Layer for Rangelands (GLIR) was implemented. This method applies non-destructive sampling to assess functional groups (not species) and estimates their biomass, carbon and nitrogen content at plot and landscape scales. On five plots representing different habitats, 12 functional groups of lichens, mosses, and cyanobacteria were found. Biomass, carbon and nitrogen content, functional groups, timing and stocking rates of cattle grazing will be presented. The MTNHP has posted a moss checklist with County distributions and a lichen checklist (http://mtnhp.org/). The “History, Biogeography, and Species of Montana Mosses (1880-2018)” will be published in Evansia (June 2019).
| presentation-notes_miltonranch_nwsa-2019.pdf |
| presentation-2_miltonranch_nwsa-2019.pdf |