Lichens and Their Ecological Significance in Headwaters State Park, Gallatin County Montana

Abstract

Seventy-eight species of lichens were collected from all substrates in Headwaters State Park. Of the lichens collected, 46% had a foliose growth form, 41% were crustose, and 13% were squamulose; 50% of the lichens collected grew on rock, 22% on soil, 12% on wood and bark, 12% on moss, and 3% on woody plant litter on soil. The soil lichen crusts were more conspicuous than many other crusts because of their orange, yellow, rust and white colors. On Fort Rock in Headwaters State Park, dominant crust species were Buellia elegans, Catapyrenium spp., Collema tenax, Fulgensia bracteata, Diploschistes muscorum, Psora decipiens, Psora spp., and Toninia sedifolia. Crusts away from trails and foot traffic were better developed than those adjacent to trails. Lichen crusts are important in inhibiting wind and water erosion, contributing nitrogen and fixed carbon to the soil, improving soil texture and providing food and habitat for soil microinvertebrates.