Lichens in Puerto Rico: an ecosystem approach

Joel Mercado; William A. Gould; Grizelle Gonzalez; Robert Lücking

doi:10.2737/IITF-GTR-46

Treesearch

Lichens in Puerto Rico: an ecosystem approach

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Joel Mercado, William A. Gould, Grizelle Gonzalez, Robert Lücking

Year:

2015

Type:

General Technical Report

Station:

International Institute of Tropical Forestry

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/IITF-GTR-46

Source:

Gen. Tech. Rep. IITF-GTR-46.

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Download (PDF 15.04 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/48249.pdf

Abstract

This work presents basic information on tropical lichenology. It also describes general aspects about the ecology and biodiversity of these organisms in eight forest ecosystems present along an elevational gradient in northeastern Puerto Rico. These ecosystems consist of elfin woodlands, palo colorado, sierra palm, tabonuco, lowland moist, dry, mangrove, and Pterocarpus forests. Lichen communities are mainly described in terms of general ecological attributes (e.g., species richness, common species, etc.). Basic information about the environment and vegetation found in these forests is also provided. The information presented is supplemented with field and microscopic photographs of species and their habitats.

Keywords

Tropical lichens, Puerto Rico, forests, conservation

Citation

Mercado-Díaz, Joel A.; Gould, William A.; Gonzalez, Grizelle; Lücking, Robert. 2015. Lichens in Puerto Rico: an ecosystem approach. Gen. Tech. Rep. IITF-GTR-46. San Juan, PR: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, International Institute of Tropical Forestry. 76 p.