Diversity of lichens in northern Alabama yields evidence of an exceptionally diverse biota
- Author:
- Manzitto-Tripp E.A., Raynor S.J. & Anderson Stewart C.R.
- Year:
- 2023
- Journal:
- Southeastern Naturalist
- Pages:
- 22(2): 170–191
- Url:
- https://doi.org/10.1656/058.022.0205
Our recent fieldwork to collect lichens in northern Alabama, with an emphasis on
the terminus of the southern Appalachian Mountains, illuminated previously undocumented
lichen species in this region of exceptional biodiversity. Numerous new and significant
records are presented, including species disjunct both from more northerly latitudes as
well as subtropical southerly latitudes: Dibaeis sorediata, Lobaria pulmonaria, Ricasolia
quercizans, and the extremely rare Rinodina chrysomeleana. Despite exceptional and
noteworthy lichen biodiversity, there exist only 2 large blocks of relatively high quality,
undisturbed land in the northern half of the state: Bankhead National Forest and Skyline
Wildlife Management Area. This situation, in combination with discovery of exceptional
lichen biodiversity, calls for urgency in conservation measures and land protection throughout
northern Alabama.
- Id:
- 35487
- Submitter:
- zpalice
- Post_time:
- Sunday, 11 June 2023 20:53