Importance of Lichens in Forested Ecosystems

Functional Roles of Epiphytes in Pacific Northwest Forests

Functional Group
Functions
Diagram
More examples

Cyanolichens Cyanolichens fix nitrogen, converting biologically inactive nitrogen gas into forms usable by higher plants. Many conifer forests in the PNW are nitrogen limited.
Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis

Lobaria oregana

Nephroma occultum

Forage lichens The dangling hair-like forage lichens are eaten by many animals, including deer, elk, flying squirrels, and other animals. These lichens are also commonly used as nest materials
Alectoria,

Bryoria,

Mule deer eating Bryoria,

Usnea longissima

Matrix lichens Matrix lichens are relatively fast invaders of new branches. They provide food and shelter for arthropods, molluscs, and mammals. Matrix lichens also provide nesting material for birds.
Hummingbird nest camouflaged with Parmelia

Bushtit nest made of spider webs and the lichen Physcia

Hypogymnia

Bryophytes Bryophytes are relatively inedible by most animals, but can act as hydrologic buffers by absorbing and evaporating precipitation. Bryophyte mats are also involved in nutrient accumulation and release.
Antitrichia curtipendula

Kindbergia oregana,

Neckera douglasii,

mossy bigleaf maple

References

Functional Group
References

Cyanolichens Nitrogen fixation: Antoine 2001, Brown & Dalton 2002, Denison 1973, Denison 1979, Holub & Lajtha 2004, Pike et al. 1972, Pike 1971, Pike 1978,

Forage lichens Deer and elk: Cowan 1945, Negi 1996, Stevenson 1978, Robbins 1987, Rochelle 1980, Stevenson & Rochelle 1984; Ward 1999 (including good literature review); Ward & Marcum 2005; Mountain caribou: Edwards et al. 1960, Rominger et al. 1994; Rominger et al. 1996; Rominger & Oldemeyer 1989, Servheen & Lyon 1989; Flying squirrels: Hayward & Rosentreter 1994, Lehmkuhl et al. 2004, Maser et al., 1985, 1986; Rosentreter & Eslick 1993, Rosentreter et al. 1997, Zabel & Waters 1997; voles: Esseen & Renhorn 1998a, Hayward 1994, Hayward & Rosentreter 1994.

Matrix lichens See "invertebrate uses" below.

Bryophytes See "hydrology", "nutrient cycling" and "invertebrate uses" below. For more information on functional roles, ecology, and uses by animals and humans, see Janice Glime's online book on bryophyte ecology. Commercial moss harvesting, see Peck 1997; Peck & McCune 1998; Peck & Muir 2001a, 2001b; Muir 2004. See summary and download pdf of Muir's 2004 report on commercial moss harvest in the U.S. See also Jeri Peck's website, for information on commercial moss harvest in the Pacific Northwest. Information is also available from Sam Staddon on commercial moss harvesting in Scotland. See a website with a summary and her report.

Various Hydrology: Pypker 2004; Pypker et al. 2005, 2006a, 2006b.
Invertebrate uses of epiphytes: Andre 1985, Andre 1986, Davidson et al. 1990, Gerson 1973, Gerson 1982, Gerson & Seaward 1977, McCune & Day 1994, Neitlich 1993, Stubbs 1989; Nutrient cycling (other than nitrogen fixation): Coxson et al. 1991, Knops et al. 1996, Nadkarni 1981, Nadkarni 1984, Pike 1971, Pike 1978.

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Functional Group	Functions	Diagram	More examples
	Cyanolichens fix nitrogen, converting biologically inactive nitrogen gas into forms usable by higher plants. Many conifer forests in the PNW are nitrogen limited.		Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis Lobaria oregana Nephroma occultum
	The dangling hair-like forage lichens are eaten by many animals, including deer, elk, flying squirrels, and other animals. These lichens are also commonly used as nest materials		Alectoria, Bryoria, Mule deer eating Bryoria, Usnea longissima
	Matrix lichens are relatively fast invaders of new branches. They provide food and shelter for arthropods, molluscs, and mammals. Matrix lichens also provide nesting material for birds.		Hummingbird nest camouflaged with Parmelia Bushtit nest made of spider webs and the lichen Physcia Hypogymnia
	Bryophytes are relatively inedible by most animals, but can act as hydrologic buffers by absorbing and evaporating precipitation. Bryophyte mats are also involved in nutrient accumulation and release.		Antitrichia curtipendula Kindbergia oregana, Neckera douglasii, mossy bigleaf maple

Functional Group	References
Cyanolichens	Nitrogen fixation: Antoine 2001, Brown & Dalton 2002, Denison 1973, Denison 1979, Holub & Lajtha 2004, Pike et al. 1972, Pike 1971, Pike 1978,
Forage lichens	Deer and elk: Cowan 1945, Negi 1996, Stevenson 1978, Robbins 1987, Rochelle 1980, Stevenson & Rochelle 1984; Ward 1999 (including good literature review); Ward & Marcum 2005; Mountain caribou: Edwards et al. 1960, Rominger et al. 1994; Rominger et al. 1996; Rominger & Oldemeyer 1989, Servheen & Lyon 1989; Flying squirrels: Hayward & Rosentreter 1994, Lehmkuhl et al. 2004, Maser et al., 1985, 1986; Rosentreter & Eslick 1993, Rosentreter et al. 1997, Zabel & Waters 1997; voles: Esseen & Renhorn 1998a, Hayward 1994, Hayward & Rosentreter 1994.
Matrix lichens	See "invertebrate uses" below.
Bryophytes	See "hydrology", "nutrient cycling" and "invertebrate uses" below. For more information on functional roles, ecology, and uses by animals and humans, see Janice Glime's online book on bryophyte ecology. Commercial moss harvesting, see Peck 1997; Peck & McCune 1998; Peck & Muir 2001a, 2001b; Muir 2004. See summary and download pdf of Muir's 2004 report on commercial moss harvest in the U.S. See also Jeri Peck's website, for information on commercial moss harvest in the Pacific Northwest. Information is also available from Sam Staddon on commercial moss harvesting in Scotland. See a website with a summary and her report.
Various	Hydrology: Pypker 2004; Pypker et al. 2005, 2006a, 2006b. Invertebrate uses of epiphytes: Andre 1985, Andre 1986, Davidson et al. 1990, Gerson 1973, Gerson 1982, Gerson & Seaward 1977, McCune & Day 1994, Neitlich 1993, Stubbs 1989; Nutrient cycling (other than nitrogen fixation): Coxson et al. 1991, Knops et al. 1996, Nadkarni 1981, Nadkarni 1984, Pike 1971, Pike 1978.