| Abstract Detail
Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS Gross, Shana [1], Kimmerer, Robin [1]. Environmental correlates of bryophyte community structure along roadsides in Lake Tahoe, CA. Mosses have the potential to be used as a restoration tool to repair abiotic conditions along roadsides by reducing surface erosion and improving microsite climatic conditions for vascular plant species. A preliminary step in evaluating the potential of mosses as restoration tools is to determine the range of habitats where target species can be planted. The goal of this study was to identify ecological variables that influence the presence of moss along roadsides in mountainous regions of California. Environmental data were collected on naturally established bryophyte populations to identify the environmental range of roadside moss communities. Cover data was collected on life form to look at the environmental range of functional groups rather than individual species. A survey of 25 roadsides identified 29 bryophyte species from 15 genera and five bryophyte life forms (smooth mat, rough mat, thread-like mat, short turf, tall turf), and 78 vascular plant species from 68 genera and five vascular plant life forms (annual graminoid, perennial graminoid, herbaceous, shrub, and tree). Results are presented on range of roadside habitat within the study region where restoration with moss could be pursued. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling was used to investigate patterns in community composition across 18 environmental variables. Out of the 18 variables measured, vascular plant was the only variable correlated with the presence of bryophyte communities along mountainous roadsides in California. Bryophyte communities were found where vascular plant cover was greatest; posing an encouraging conundrum for restoration with mosses, which came first the bryophytes or the vascular plants?
Log in to add this item to your schedule
1 - SUNY-College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Environmental and Forest Biology, 241 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY, 13210
Keywords:
Bryophyte
restoration
California
roadside
ecology.
Presentation Type: Poster:Posters for BSA Sections
Session: P1
Location: Event Tent/Cliff Lodge
Date: Monday, July 27th, 2009
Time: 5:30 PM
Number: P1BL013
Abstract ID:487 |
