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Abstract Detail



Bryological and Lichenological Section/ABLS

Kraichak, Ekaphan [1], Carter, Benjamin [2], Shaffer, Justin [3], Gilbert, Gregory [4].

Is my sample size big enough? A quest for effective sampling methods in ecological and floristic studies of epiphytic bryophytes and lichens.

Ecological and floristic studies of bryophytes and lichens often employ either spatially explicit (e.g. quadrats and transects) and floristic (i.e. focusing on different habitats) methods. While these methods often require long periods of sampling and high level of taxonomic expertise, their merits and efficiency are rarely discussed. We simulated various sampling methods using a complete data set of epiphytic cryptogams (bryophytes and lichens) on over 7,000 stems from the 6-ha permanent forest plot in Santa Cruz, California. We found that, to capture at least 60 percent of total diversity of the plot (30 out of 50 species), it would take 3.3 times longer with spatially explicit methods than with the floristic method that only survey trees of a larger size. Including more trees and quadrats continuously increases the observed number of lichens, but does not increases the number of bryophyte species after a certain point. As often preferred by experienced collectors, floristic sampling appears to be a more effective way to conduct ecological and floristic studies of epiphytic cryptogams. 


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1 - Field Museum of Natural History, Science and Education, 1400 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL, 60605, USA
2 - Duke University, Biology, Box 90338, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
3 - University of Arizona, Division of Plant Pathology and Microbiology, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
4 - University of California, Santa Cruz, Environmental Studies Department, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA

Keywords:
Sampling
bryophytes
lichens
Forest Inventory and Analysis.

Presentation Type: Oral Paper:Papers for Sections
Session: 23
Location: River Fork/Grove
Date: Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
Time: 10:30 AM
Number: 23006
Abstract ID:239
Candidate for Awards:None


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