Lichen Communities for Forest Health Monitoring in Colorado, USA

Abstract

Lichen communities were included in the Forest Health Monitoring program because they help to answer several key assessment questions. These questions concern the contamination of natural resources, biodiversity, forest health, and sustainability of timber production. Field crews collected data on epiphytic macrolichens from throughout forested areas of Colorado from 1992-1996. Repeated sampling of these permanent plots will allow us to document changes in the condition of lichen communities over time. Additional plots were taken in urban and industrial areas, for a total of 185 plots reported on here.