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Measuring Lichen Abundance

Biology

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Skills

  • Visually identify the scientific name of the seven lichens we are studying
  • Be able to accurately measure lichen abundance using a linear transect technique

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Our Study Question:

  • We will be conducting an ecological investigation about lichens (similar to our plant ecology question and the AMI study)
  • Our question will be “What is the relationship between the abundance of pollution-sensitive lichens and their proximity to sources of air pollution?”

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Measuring Lichen Abundance

  1. Find 20-cm of lichens on a stick
  2. Hold up a ruler up (centimeters)
  3. Measure the length (in centimeters) of each patch of lichens; record in a data table
    • More than one lichen? Count the one on top.
    • Ignore bald areas, moss, and unknown lichens.
  4. Make another data table
    • Add all lengths of each lichen species.
    • Divide each length by 20 and multiply by 100 to find %.

This will tell you the percentage (out of 20 cm) of each lichen along your ruler!

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  1. Find 20-cm of lichens on a stick
  2. Hold up a ruler up (centimeters)
  3. Measure the length (in centimeters) of each patch of lichens; record in a data table
    • More than one lichen? Count the one on top.
    • Ignore bald areas, moss, and unknown lichens.
  4. Make another data table
    • Add all lengths of each lichen species.
    • Divide each length by 20 and multiply by 100 to find %.