Contrasting Arboreal and Terrestrial Macrolichen and Bryophyte Communities in Old-Growth Sub-Boreal Spruce Forests of Central British Columbia

Abstract

Abstract Macroclichen and bryophyte species diversity, abundance, biomass and nitrogen stocks were compared between arboreal and terrestrial habitats in old-growth sub-boreal spruce forests in central British Columbia, Canada on the two most common soil types in the area, fine- and coarse-textured soils. A total of 118 macrolichen and bryophyte species were identified, including 71 species of macrolichens (44 arboreal and 43 terrestrial) and 47 species of bryophytes, of which only one moss (Orthotrichum sp.) was arboreal. Macrolichen functional groups varied in both diversity and abundance between arboreal and terrestrial communities. Cyanolichens were common in both arboreal and terrestrial habitats, but were much more abundant arboreally than terrestrially. This epiphytic biomass was largely attributed to the tripartite cyanolichen species, Lobaria pulmonaria, while the most common terrestrial macrolichens were bipartite Peltigera cyanolichen species. From a biomass perspective, the epiphyte community w...