Baseline Population Density Estimates of ‘Wyoming Range Lichens’ (Xanthoparmelia wyomingica) Relative to Mountain Goats in the La Sal Mountains, Utah, USA

Abstract

The La Sal Mountains in eastern Utah, USA, contain the only alpine habitat on the Colorado Plateau in Utah. These unique sky island alpine communities are vulnerable to a wide range of disturbances, including factors associated with the recent introduction of mountain goats (O. americanus). In order to monitor the potential impact of O. americanus, and other disturbances on alpine communities in the La Sals, we provide baseline estimate population densities for ‘Wyoming range lichens’ (Xanthoparmelia wyomingica) at two sites near Mount Laurel. Using the point-centered quarter and the quartered-neighbor methods, we estimate ca. 20 individuals/m2 at both sites. These estimates provide an important baseline for long-term monitoring of vulnerable alpine sites on the Colorado Plateau.