Macrolichen communities in relation to soils and vegetation in the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska

• Published in: Botany
• Main Authors: Holt, Emily A., McCune, Bruce, Neitlich, Peter
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 2009
• Subjects: Plant Science; Ecology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Arctic; Tundra; Alaska
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/b08-142; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/full-xml/10.1139/B08-142; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/B08-142

Macrolichen community structure and its relation to environment in the Noatak National Preserve, Alaska, is described using a two-way stratified random sample. We found 201 macrolichen taxa. Two primary gradients in lichen species composition were related to substrate pH and vegetation physiognomy, grading from forests to high alpine communities. Site characteristics associated with the first community gradient are soil moisture and exposure. Both ends of this gradient, including protected forests and densely shrubby sites at one end and exposed, high elevation alpine sites at the other end, are relatively dry and well-drained. The mid-region of this gradient consists of mesic, lowland tundra habitats. The second gradient, related to substrate pH, is driven by the presence of Sphagnum moss contrasting with calcareous soils and bedrock. Combining these two gradients of lichen community composition, we found six groups of plots using two-way cluster analysis. Further, division of macrolichen species occurring in five or more plots yielded seven species groups, based on a combination of environmental factors and species distribution characteristics. This snapshot of macrolichen communities in Arctic Alaska serves as an important baseline for future comparisons to environments altered by changing climate and land use.