Abstract Detail

Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS

Will-Wolf, Susan [1], Jovan, S. [2], Amacher, M. C. [3].

Corticolous lichen tissue elements as indicators of Wisconsin air pollution: a pilot for eastern United States.

Lichens can be used as passive collectors of air pollutants, to supplement established air quality networks and facilitate intensive, large-scale mapping of pollution deposition patterns. For this pilot study we designed a tissue biomonitoring protocol for the USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program, that tracks forest metrics across the United States using regional field crews. We collected a pilot dataset in Wisconsin and measured tissue levels of 26 elements by combustion or digestion/ICP at Utah State University Analytical Laboratories. A suitable indicator must apply to most forested plots across a multi-state region. Flavoparmelia caperata (Flacap) was at 53% - 93% of FIA plots in four E regions. Evernia mesomorpha, Parmelia sulcata, Physcia aipolia/stellaris (Phyaip), and Punctelia rudecta were at 34% or more of plots in two regions each. Authors collected 130 samples of these five species from 18 sites near air monitor stations; trained FIA crews collected 145 samples from 76 FIA plots. Species recognition by crew was 97% reliable for Flacap; 40-90% reliable for others. Flacap was at 68% of pilot sites (others: 20-30%). Data for 24 elements are reliable (based on reference samples); 13 are linked with air pollution. Comparison of procedures (ANOVA p<0.05) confirms that clean field and lab procedures give better data; Phyaip is hardest to prepare. Preliminary analyses of site data show the four other species have values for 5-6 of the 13 target elements that differ from those for Flacap at the same sites (ANOVA p<0.05 for species, site x species interaction NS). Calibrations to Flacap of Cu, Fe, Hg, N, and S values are needed for most other species, for Al, Cd, Mo, Ni calibrations are needed for one species each, and not needed for Co, Cr, and Zn. After calibration and combination across species, Cu, Cr, Mo, Pb, and S have higher values at sites with locally more urban/industrial pollution (monitor site data; regression p<0.05). N values are higher at sites with more local urban/industrial pollution and/or regional agriculture. Co, Fe, Hg, Mn, and Ni relate more strongly to patterns of very broad regional pollution (NADP modeled maps). Zn and Cd vary, and Al does not differ across sites. An urban/industrial air pollution indicator from Cu, Cr, Mo, Pb, and S combined and a separate urban/industrial/agricultural pollution indicator from N alone are recommended for broader trials in several regions of the E.

1 - University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Botany, 430 Lincoln Drive, Madison, WI, 53706-1381, USA
2 - USDA Forest Service, Portland Forestry Sciences Lab, 620 SW Main, Suite 400, Portland, OR, 97205-1381, USA
3 - USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Logan Forestry Sciences Lab, 860 N 1200 E, Logan, UT, 84321, USA

Keywords:
air pollution
indicator
Forest Inventory and Analysis
lichen
nitrogen
sulfur
tissue element.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 29
Location: River Fork/Grove
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Time: 2:45 PM
Number: 29006
Abstract ID:566
Candidate for Awards:None