%0 Journal Article %J Bryologist %D 2009 %T Lichens and Bryophytes of the Alpine and Subalpine Zones of Katahdin, Maine, I: Overview, Ecology, Climate and Conservation Aspects %A Dibble, A. C. %A N. G. Miller %A Hinds, J. W. %A Fryday, A. M. %K alpine %K bryophytes %K Chimney Pond weather data %K conservation %K Diapensia heath %K Katahdin %K lichens %K Maine %K snow bed %K species rarity %X

Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine at 1606 m, has about 13 km2 (1300 ha) of alpine and subalpine tundra and krummholz on a summit plateau and in upper cirque basins. Lichens and bryophytes have been collected above tree line since the mid-19th century, but the cryptogam biota of the mountain has remained incompletely documented. For 16 days during 2001–2004 we inventoried lichens and bryophytes of the subalpine and alpine zones of Katahdin (above 884 m), visiting open alpine tundra, alpine cliffs in glacial cirques, seeps, fellfields, krummholz and subalpine forests. We relocated most species represented by historic collections and added many more to the documented biota, including significant range extensions and species new to North America or northeastern United States. The floristic results are presented in two associated papers. Here we (1) summarize previous studies of the botany, ecology and geology of Katahdin; (2) compare quadrats from a Diapensia heath in exposed alpine tundra on the Table Land with a snow bed community just below the Table Land, where a marked difference in the bryophyte and lichen assemblages may reflect cryptogam-vascular plant interactions and/or site-specific differences; and (3) summarize unpublished weather data collected at the Chimney Pond Ranger Station (ca. 890 m). Katahdin and Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, have similar recent temperature and precipitation records on the basis of the available data. Katahdin shares some vegetation components and climate features with mountain ranges in the Pacific Northwest, New Zealand and the Scottish Highlands that have been studied for lichens and/or bryophytes.

%B Bryologist %V 112 %P 651-672 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745-112.4.651 %R 10.1639/0007-2745-112.4.651 %0 Journal Article %J Bryologist %D 2009 %T Lichens and Bryophytes of the Alpine and Subalpine Zones of Katahdin, Maine, III: Bryophytes. %A N. G. Miller %K Alpine and subalpine bryofloras %K bryophyte ecology and distribution %K Katahdin %K liverworts %K Maine %K mosses %K northeastern United States and adjacent Canada %K snow bed %X

Field studies on the east side of Mount Katahdin, Maine, from 2001 to 2004, and an appraisal of published and unpublished Katahdin records from previous work documented 203 different bryophytes (131 mosses and 72 liverworts) for subalpine conifer forest, alpine tundra and cirque walls, and krummholz in between. This work represents the only recent investigation of a high altitude bryoflora in the mountains of the northeastern United States. Two mosses (Hygrohypnum smithii, Pohlia tundrae) are new to this region, and six others, including Neckera oligocarpa, are new records for Maine. Investigations of Grimmia (4 spp.), Cynodontium (2 spp.) and Kiaeria (2 spp.) clarified the application of taxonomic concepts for these mosses relative to previous published work. In conjunction with parallel studies of Katahdin lichens, eight habitats were specified for the study area. These habitats were largely the same places as those recognized for lichens. The eight habitats differed in the number of Arctic mosses and in unique occurrences of various mosses and liverworts. Mean Arctic-boreal-cool temperate values, introduced as an analytical tool to evaluate the distributional affinities of Kathadin lichens, were calculated for bryophytes for seven of eight habitats. The mean for each habitat class was well predicted by a multiple regression equation, with altitude, solar gain and snowpack persistence, but not substratum, as independent variables. Upper and lower altitutinal limits of bryophyte species occurrence were determined. The documented presence of Katahdin alpine bryophytes in four other mountain areas in northeastern United States and adjacent Québec, Canada, showed fewer of them in western areas (the high Adirondack Mountains, New York and Mt. Mansfield, Vermont), a possible outcome of increasing oceanic conditions eastward.

%B Bryologist %V 112 %P 704-748 %G eng %U http://dx.doi.org/10.1639/0007-2745-112.4.704 %R 10.1639/0007-2745-112.4.704