How can we recognize hotspots of lichen diversity and abundance?

Short answer

The habitat characteristics listed below are correlated with high representation of old-growth associated lichens and some other rare lichens. These habitat characteristics are broken down into two groups: stand structure and site characteristics. Stand structure can be manipulated with management activities, but site characteristics are normally fixed.

Checklist of habitat features promoting diversity and abundance of old-growth associated lichens:

   Site features
  Located in the riparian zone of perennial stream, lake, or wetland
  Large rock outcrops or talus are present
  Located on a ridge top
  Contains infertile sites due to thin soils or extremely coarse textured soils

   Stand structure
  Remnant old-growth trees in young stands (one or more remnants in sight from most places in the stand)
  Oregon ash (Fraxinus latifolia) present
  Old-growth forest
  Both conifers and hardwood trees present (more than 5% of stems in each category)
  Presence of wolf trees (conifers with large, living lower limbs)
  Significant presence of mature to old tall shrubs (averaging more than 10 per acre or 25 per hectare)


See long answer

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