Message - 7th IAL Symposium

The 7 th International Association for Lichenology Symposium 2012
(2B-P18) Submission ID: IAL0265-00002
LICHENS OF PURGATORY AND RIDGES MOUNTAINS: FURTHER EXPLORATIONS IN THE
UWHARRIE MOUNTAINS OF NORTH CAROLINA, USA
Perlmutter G. B. 1 , Rivas Plata E. 2
1 UNC Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
2 Biology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina, United States
The Uwharrie Mountains is an ancient range of isolated peaks (monadnocks) formed ca. 500 mya from
the eruptions of a chain of volcanic islands in shallow seas that reach SSW-NNE in the Piedmont ecoregion of
south central North Carolina, USA. We present the results of a recent survey focused on the lichenized fungi of
two monadnocks: Purgatory Mountain and Ridges Mountain, in a continuing effort to document the lichen diversity
of the Piedmont of North Carolina. We sampled three habitats: Basic Oak-Hickory Forest over basic rock,
Piedmont Monadnock Forest over basic rock (both on Ridges Mountain), and Piedmont Monadnock Forest over
acidic rock (Purgatory Mountain), using 20×50 m rectangular plots. In each plot we collected representatives
of every lichen taxon we could find, recording the substrate each found on. Canopy cover was also recorded
in each plot, using a spherical densiometer, to investigate influence of light exposure on the lichen biotas. The
Basic Oak-Hickory Forest plot was sampled specifically to compare its lichen biota with that in the same forest
type studied in Mason Farm Biological Reserve, 80 km east, in 2008, as well as to contrast with the other plots
of this study. After species determination, we performed a Non-Multidimensional Scaling (NMS) and Cluster
analyses to evaluate the impact of canopy openings (light availability) and particularly rock pH (using only
samples collected in rock substrate) in the formation of lichen communities. Our results show that from a total
of 157 samples collected, 100 lichen species were found in Ridges and Purgatory Mtns combined (~35-53 spp.
per plot). The combined biota is 56% crustose, 29% foliose and 8% fruticose. We found 28 species new to the
Uwharrie Mountains, including Xanthoria parietina, reported here as new to North Carolina. Our findings also
show differences in the lichen community based on canopy opening and substrate type and pH (for those collected
on rock), as expected.
(2B-P19) Submission ID: IAL0265-00001
LICHENS, LICHENICOLOUS FUNGI AND ALLIED FUNGI OF TURNIPSEED WAKENATURE
PRESERVE, NORTH CAROLINA, USA
Perlmutter G. B. 1
1 UNC Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States
Turnipseed Preserve in eastern Wake County, North Carolina was surveyed of its lichen diversity in
2009-2011 as part of an assessment toward its designation as the first WakeNature Preserve in recognition
of its important ecological resources by the local stakeholder group WakeNature Preserves Partnership. Lichen
diversity in this Outer Piedmont/Fall Line preserve was sampled in open fields, forests and rock outcrops
including granitic flatrocks, a globally rare natural community that is dominated by lichens and bryophytes. A
total of 170 taxa in 75 genera were catalogued, representing 38 families with 12 new state records. Noteworthy
finds include: 1) the state-listed rare Canoparmelia amabilis, 2) the recently-described Acarospora janae,
and 3) Lichenotheliaceae, a family newly reported for North Carolina represented by the lichenicolous fungus
Lichenostigma cosmopolites and the rock-inhabiting fungus Lichenothelia scopularia, the latter newly reported
for eastern North America. An evaluation of pollution-sensitive and tolerant taxa suggests the area to be somewhat
compromised by the ambient air pollution with most pollution-tolerant species in more exposed habitats
and pollution-sensitive ones in shaded forests.
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