Abstract Detail

Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS

Jovan, Sarah [1], McCune, Bruce [1].

Bioindication of Air Pollution in the Greater Central Valley of California, U.S.A. Using Gradient Analysis of Epiphytic Macrolichen Communities.

Air quality monitoring in the United States is typically focused on urban areas even though the detrimental effects of pollution often extend into surrounding ecosystems. The purpose of this study was to construct a model, based upon epiphytic macrolichen community data, to indicate air quality and climate in forested areas throughout the greater Central Valley of California. The structure of epiphytic lichen communities is widely recognized as an effective biological indicator of air quality as sensitivities to common anthropogenic pollutants vary by species. We used non-metric multidimensional scaling ordination to analyze lichen community data from 98 plots. To calibrate the model, a subset of plots was co-located with air quality monitors that measured ambient levels of ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen dioxide. Two estimates of ammonia deposition, which is not regularly monitored by any state or federal agency in California, were approximated for all plots using land-use maps and emissions estimates derived from the California Gridded Ammonia Inventory Modeling System. Two prominent gradients in community composition were found. One ordination axis corresponded with an air quality gradient relating to ammonia deposition. Ammonia deposition estimates (r = -0.63 and -0.51), percent nitrophilous lichen richness (r = -0.76), and percent nitrophile abundance (r = -0.78) were correlated with the air quality axis. Plots from large cities and small, highly agricultural towns had relatively poor air quality scores, indicating similar levels of ammonia deposition between urban and agrarian land-uses. The second axis was correlated with humidity (r = -0.58), distance from the coast (r = 0.62), kriged estimates of cumulative ozone exposure (r = 0.57), maximum one hour measurements of ozone (r = 0.58), and annual means of nitrogen dioxide (r = 0.63). Lichenologists disagree whether lichens are sensitive to ozone under natural conditions and if so, whether high levels cause lichen mortality. Even less is known about the effects of nitrogen dioxide on lichen community composition. Until such basic questions are answered, we are unable to determine whether the second axis represents a response to climate, pollution, or both.

1 - Oregon State University, Department of Botany and Plant Pathology, 2082 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, Oregon, 97331-2902, USA

Keywords:
California
epiphytic macrolichens
air pollution
ammonia
ozone
nitrogen dioxide
sulfur dioxide
nitrophiles
land-use
community analysis
non-metric multidimensional scaling gradients.

Presentation Type: Paper
Session: 51-8
Location: Magpie (Cliff Lodge)
Date: Wednesday, August 4th, 2004
Time: 2:45 PM
Abstract ID:1139