Post 7: Lynndale Park - Lichen/Moss Assignment by Maya R & Elijah

Height of the string around tree trunk at eye level: 1.44 meters

Circumference of tree trunk at this height: 1.61 meters

Tree Map:

Name/Species of tree: Douglas Fir

Best direction for moss: East

Best direction for lichens: North East

Bark description: Very rough with deep grooves

Which side of the tree has the most light?
The North East and East sides


Which side of the tree is the warmest?
The North East and East sides (the southern side of the tree is protected by dense foliage the east side is exposed to a clearing, which would let in more sun. The southern side may be warmer since it is protected by foliage, but no moss or lichens were growing on that side)


Which side of the tree is likely to have the most rain and wind and receive the most moisture?
The North and North East sides (the clearing exposes the tree to wind and rain, but also exposes it to sunlight)

Explain why you think lichens or moss are more frequently growing on one side of a tree rather than another.The lichens and moss clearly gravitate to the side of the tree that is most exposed to moisture and sunlight. They need these two components in order to survive because they do not have a vascular system to send nutrients to their roots.

Suggest ways in which you could measure light, temperature or wetness).
You could use some sort of device to monitor light and temperature and strap one to all four sides of the tree (North, South, East, West).

Do you find the same mosses and lichens (and the same amounts) on the trunk at waist level? At knee level? 
At waist level there seems to be more mosses growing than lichen. From this observation I think moss are drawn to more moisture than lichen and the lichens tend to dominate the upper part of the tree.

At knee level we didn't see much of anything growing around the base. I think this is because moss and lichens are better protected farther up on the tree.

Using your lichen identification book, characterize your lichens and crustose, foliose or fruticose. Do the different types of lichens prefer growing on one side of the tree or another?
Douglas' Neckera (Neckera douglasii) - moss on Eastern side of tree
Cladonia Scales (Cladonia species)- lichen (foliose) on North and North Eastern side of tree.
False Pixie Cup (Cladonia chlorophaea)(? I think) - lichen (fruticose) on Northern side of tree
Twisted Ulota (Ulota obtusiuscula)- moss on Eastern side of tree


You can make another tree map if you have time, or look at the results of other groups in your class. Did the lichen and growth pattern on their trees match the pattern of yours?
I looked at some other trees that were surrounding us, and it seemed as if the moss and lichens were all growing towards the direction where their tree had the most sunlight exposure.

Do you think that the kind of bark makes any difference to lichens and mosses? Explain.I didn't notice as many mosses and lichens on cedar trees, they seem to prefer deciduous and a select few conifers like the Douglas Fir. Maybe deciduous trees are easier to grow on?

Hypothesis: Moss and Lichens gravitate to the side of a tree where there is more exposure to moisture and sunlight.

Elijah's Question:What changes could be made to have the moss and lichen grow on the opposite side? All sides? How sensitive are moss and lichen to moisture, sunlight, etc.?

Maja's Question: Do lichens and mosses compete for nutrients and space? It seemed as though on our tree that the lichens were more present than mosses. If there is a stronger lichen community, is the moss community impeded?