Lichens of soil crust communities in the Intermountain Area of the western United States

Authors

Larry L. St. Clair, Brigham Young University
Jeffrey R. Johansen, John Carroll University, University Heights, Ohio
Samuel R. Rushforth, Brigham Young University

Abstract

Lichens are common components of microbiotic soil crusts. A total of 34 species from 17 genera are reported from soil crust communities throughout the Intermountain Area. Distribution of terricolous lichens is determined by various physical and biological factors: physical and chemical characteristics of the soil, moisture regimes, temperature, insolation, and development and composition of the vascular plant community. Some species demonstrate a broad ecological amplitude while others have a more restricted distribution. All growth forms are represented; however, the vast majority of soil crust lichens are squamulose (minutely foliose). Fruticose species are least abundant. In exposed, middle-elevation sites vagrant (detached) species are common. This paper describes and discusses terricolous lichen communities of desert habitats of the intermountain western United States. Effects of various human-related activities including grazing, wildfire, air pollution, and recreation vehicles on soil crust lichens are discussed. Gypsoplaca macrophylla (Zahlbr.) Timdal, a rare squamulose lichen which occurs on gypsifersous soils, was recently collected in Emery County, Utah, and is reported as new to the state.

Recommended Citation

St. Clair, Larry L.; Johansen, Jeffrey R.; and Rushforth, Samuel R. (1993) "Lichens of soil crust communities in the Intermountain Area of the western United States," Great Basin Naturalist: Vol. 53: No. 1, Article 2.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/gbn/vol53/iss1/2