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BEN # 234
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No. 234 October 25, 1999
aceska@victoria.tc.ca Victoria, B.C.
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Dr. A. Ceska, P.O.Box 8546, Victoria, B.C. Canada V8W 3S2
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PHYTOSOCIOLOGY IN AN AMERICAN CONTEXT
From: Elgene O. Box <boxeo@arches.uga.edu>
(Abstract of the paper presented at the symposium on "Vegetation
Classification and Mapping in the Rocky Mountains," Glacier
National Park, Montana, 29 June - 2 July 1999)
Phytosociology (Braun-Blanquet sampling) is not totally unlike
timber cruising -- it provides a means for extensive vegetation
sampling, covering large areas quickly without having to do
measurements in the field or statistics afterward. It consists
of three steps: field sampling, classification (clustering of
similar samples), and naming (associations and higher levels).
Not all steps are necessary, depending on the purpose. Although
developed in Europe during the first half of this century,
concepts of phytosociology (especially the sampling methodology)
have been found very useful in a US context, especially in the
recent large-area inventories of The Nature Conservancy and the
various state Natural Heritage Programs.
The Braun-Blanquet field methodology provides a standardized,
full-floristic, three-dimensional stand description called a
releve (composition, structure, and abundance), which is under-
stood by vegetation scientists all over the world. Class-
ification can be performed by various computerized clustering
algorithms, some of which (e.g. TURBOVEG) have been used for
very complete national inventories and classifications, as
recently in South Africa. The final products, associations and
related vegetation units, are the basic units of most other
approaches and are quite compatible, for example, with the
associations in the US National Vegetation Classification.
The only real prerequisite, relatively complete knowledge of the
local flora, can be overcome by working with a good local
botanist. Large-area applications in North America include
ongoing forest inventories in eastern and western Canada, a
1988-90 inventory throughout eastern North America, and recent
classifications of boreal and western North America by two
Spanish groups.
REPORT ON CLADONIA WORKSHOP - CLEARWATER, B.C. SEPTEMBER 1999
From: Nicole Brand <nicolebrand@hotmail.com>
On the last weekend in September, a small but keen group of
thirteen lichen enthusiasts gathered at the home of Tevor Goward
for a workshop on the lichen genus Cladonia. We were a varied
bunch with a similar goal: to gain an understanding of the
taxonomy of Cladonia, as well as some insight into the ecology
of this complex genus.
The weekend began on Friday evening with an informal discussion
about lichens. The good company and cozy atmosphere sparked
intriguing conversation. Although several topics were covered,
one takes home message was that in order to begin to understand
a lichen we must view the species interacting within its natural
landscape as well as its individual characteristics and func-
tions.
Saturday morning we dove into Cladonia taxonomy! Armed with
Trevor's new book "The Lichens of British Columbia, Illustrated
Keys Part 2 - Fruticose Species" and supplied with numerous
Cladonia samples, we began working our way through the keys.
Although approximately 69 Cladonia species exist in B.C., we
focused on the 38 which occur in the southern interior. Instruc-
tion was also given on the use of chemical spot tests and
ultraviolet light tests for identifying particular species. Upon
trying to understand color differences between Cladonia species,
we witnessed the birth of a new color - usnic! This color was
described by Trevor as yellowish-green, but may be seen as
greenish-yellow to some.
By combining our patience and helpful hints from Trevor, we were
successful in identifying many species. However, we also became
aware of the extremely varied forms a particular species may
take. These tricky samples illustrated the complexities of this
feared genus. In the afternoon we took a well-deserved break to
visit some of the sites in Wells Grey Provincial Park, and then
reconvened to discover more Cladonia species into the early
evening hours. Sunday morning we continued keying samples, and
again ventured outside in the afternoon. By this time I think we
had accomplished a lot and gained respect for what we had yet to
learn. The weekend was a definite success.
I would like to thank Trevor Goward for hosting the workshop and
sharing his home, time, and wisdom. Thank you Patrick Williston
for your effort in organizing another great lichen workshop. l
would also like to thank the participants of the workshop for
their friendly enthusiasm. I hope to see you again!
MOSS FLORA OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST - PAPERBACK EDITION
Lawton, Elva. 1971. Moss flora of the Pacific Northwest. The
Hattori Botanical Laboratory, Miyazaki-shi, Japan.
xiv + 389 p. + 195 plates. ISBN 4-938163-12-8 [soft cover]
Price US$47.00 (5,000 JPY if you remit by credit card or
International Postal Money Order). If you pay by check in
USD, please add $5.00 to cover bank charges. Available Novem-
ber 1999
Send your order now to: The Hattori Botanical Laboratory,
2-112-2, Funatsuka, Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki-ken 880-0031,
Japan
Fax (+81) 985-29-0905, e-mail: hattorib@pastel.ocn.ne.jp
"This is the paperback edition of Lawton's Moss flora of the
Pacific Northwest which was published in 1971. It is the first
comprehensive moss flora of the Pacific Northwest (Washington,
Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, Wyoming, and the Canadian
Provinces of British Columbia and Alberta through the Rocky
Mountains and north to about the fifty-second parallel)."
When the original edition was published, the identification keys
were reprinted in a separate soft-cover booklet. This booklet is
still (or again?) available as
Lawton, E. 1971. Keys for identification of the mosses of the
Pacific Northwest. Price: US$7.00
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